Observation Date
2/6/2019
Observer Name
Tomasz Stefankowski
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Little Water
Location Name or Route
Little Water Peak
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Just enough snow throughout the day to warrant a hard shell, but not quite enough to make it feel like proper storm skiing. Temps were decreasing throughout the day and moderate, at times strong winds made for a nice reminder that winter is alive and well.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The SW storms graupel event fades into distant memory the heavy snow was quickly blanketed with a fine serving of classic Utah powder. Skiing was all time today and a snorkel would have been appreciated. I measured 18" of new dry snow on top of a heavier layer.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Didn't see any new avalanches in our travels today but recent slides in the vicinity kept us well clear of any danger. One member of our group experienced a meadow collapsing. Winds were blowing from the NW and out of sheltered areas a moderately dense wind skin was noted. Compared to the strong winds effecting lower elevation tree runs earlier this week, today we were easily able to seek refuge from the wind in dense woods. Nonetheless winds were transporting snow throughout the day and an impressive amount of loading is taking place. On the lee side of a large meadow I experienced sensitive wind drifts with shooting cracks easily propagating up to 10 feet in front of me. See pictures below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Moderate winds are moving large amounts of snow and creating impressive cornices and drifts that are reactive to a skiers weight. With this much snow available for transport coupled with the sensitive drifts, I will be avoiding wind loaded terrain.
Comments
New snow avalanches and persistent weak layers are just as concerning to me as wind drifted snow. Sluffing was noted in even moderate terrain running further than expected, and storm slabs remain a problem. With monster avalanches being reported along the PC ridgeline and elsewhere throughout the range, our persistent week layer problem has been unearthed and its danger is more apparent than ever. I'll be replacing constant instagram updates with continuous measurement of slope angles and vigilance as to what kind of terrain I'm eating lunch under.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates
