Observation Date
2/19/2019
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery » Mary Ellen
Location Name or Route
Mary Ellen Gulch/Lower Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Early morning obscured skies cleared during the day to few. Temperatures remained in the single digits. WNW winds were light and only observed in the upper elevation exposed terrain. Wind blown and or transport was light. Snowfall was S1 throughout the morning hours from 0400 until 0900.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
SSE, S and SSW continue to be adversely affected by solar around mid day despite the cold temperatures. Riding on all other aspects remain as good as it gets with settled cold snow/powder. As expected, the riding continues become a bit more dense each day due to settlement; and subsequently the Ski Penetration was 10 to 15 cm. With the cold temperatures and the density of the snow becoming a bit more thick, the riding is slower each day. But irregardless, this last period of riding since the latest event is the best riding of the season. Wind damage and new slab development was minimal from the last 24 hours.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure in the zones traveled continues to be relegated to the upper layers of the snowpack due to NSF-ing. Small Loose Dry Naturals were observed in steep facing northerly terrain
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above for Loose Dry concerns.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
No significant wind slab development in the zones traveled, but in the more exposed alpine it was likely that there was this issue.
Of note, unfortunately the winds are forecast to accelerate in the next two periods, and there is ample snow available for transport.
Comments
PWL issues continue be on the back burner and dormant until they get another load, and these issues are obviously more prevalent outside the upper Cottonwoods.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
