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Observation: Snowbird periphery

Observation Date
4/27/2018
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery
Location Name or Route
Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear skies, intense radiation values, cumulus cloud cover observed with no build up. Significant settlement observed. Light variable winds, yet at times enough to keep the snow surface from heating up rapidly.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Upper exposed alpine areas on westerly facing slopes had old wind sculpting. The corn harvest continues and despite temperatures not dipping below the freezing mark, the refreeze was even better than the previous day. 20 cm m/f crusts were observed on low angle westerly aspects down off the ridgelines. SE appeared to come on around 9:00 and still be acceptable as late as 11:00. WNW aspects were still too firm at 1:00, and all slopes appeared to hold good riding conditions much longer than anticipated. Of note, the thick northerly trees continue to have dense settled wet/damp riding conditions that are the most inconsistent and challenging. Finally, the need for fresh wax on your skis is a must if you want to avoid the problems associated with the flat and low angle grabby slush.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Snowpack tests continue to score CTM and CTH nonsudden results. And the most common lingering weak layer that has been identified is a recrystallized graupel layer around 45 cm down. With the snowpack either trending towards isothermal and or already there, the pack appears to be showing strong signs of stability in areas traveled.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

With no new activity observed over the past three days in the Snowbird/Alta periphery, it appears that this issue has a decreasing trend. In the outlying terrain south of this area there appears to be continuing significant wet loose activity, and new slides were observed on the easterly slopes of Timp. A forecast for warmer temperatures and potential cloud cover for Friday night and Saturday may help initiate more activity.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

These sustained unseasonably warm/hot temperatures may be enough to help the cornices out there begin to fail, and it will be interesting to see if any of the large overhanging features will be enough to trigger slides upon descent.

In the areas traveled again today, the danger appeared to be Low. Saturdays temperatures and cloud cover may escalate the danger to Moderate, but it appears that we will have to wait and see if the cloud cover will materialize and exacerbate the situation.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate