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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
1/6/2019
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Sustained S3 snowfall rates all day. Obscured skies until 1500 hours with an hour of broken. Light to Moderate winds were variable in the morning and appeared to veer to the NW after 1200. Moderate transport in the most exposed upper ridgeline areas. Temperatures continued to drop during the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Riding was a bit slow on the low and moderate angle slopes due to the depth of the new snow. Wind sculpting observed on the exposed ridgelines.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Minimal cracking observed as the new snow was not illustrating signs of slabbing up in the limited areas traveled. Of note, density breaks in the new snow remained reactive throughout the day. In the early morning hours the most active density break was 14 cm down, and this density break continued to be able to be easily triggered with slope cuts throughout the day. As a result this shear was deeper as the snow depth increased. It appeared that this density break was a result of very light density snow that feel overnight and then became overloaded with the intense snowfall that came in from 0500 and on. Wind loading up to 9600 feet was not a big factor.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Storm Slab and Loose Dry Avalanche Problems were widespread throughout the terrain traveled. Slope cuts were very easy to initiate both of these issues. Slides were digging down 14 inches into the new snow by the end of the day. Forecast of continued snowfall most likely will keep this problem active with possibly an increasing trend.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Despite no significant slab development in the areas traveled today, it appeared that this issue would have been much more of an issue at upper elevations. Continued snow and increasing winds will definitely exacerbate this problem overnight and through Monday.
Persistent Slab issues and buried weak layers may come into play with the next round of water, wind and snow. And, if indeed the forecast comes in with high end amounts, the Danger may rise to High for a brief period as the winds and snow serve to escalate the hazard.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable