Observation: Alta Ski Area

Observation Date
10/10/2018
Observer Name
L. Dunn
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area
Location Name or Route
Alta, Collins Gulch to Germania Pass
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Overcast with some snow showers at the base of Alta at 1pm, dense fog on the upper half of the mountain.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 15 inches of dense new snow on top of another 5-7 inches of snow from a few days ago, so total depth was about 20". I believe there might be a problem with the water equivalent being reported from Collins today, other snotel sites showed about 1.5" SWE, while Collins shows around 0.70" SWE for a storm total. This snow had a lot of water in it, the higher numbers seem more accurate. The new snow was dense and inverted with a rime crust above 9500' that got thicker as we got higher. Lets see, bad visibility, dense upside down snow, a rime crust, oh yeah, there are still rocks, too. I felt lucky to descend without getting hurt....but who can resist going skiing in October!
The snow on the vehicle behind me is our snowpack.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low