Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Mineral Basin

Observation Date
3/4/2019
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird Ski Resort » Mineral Basin
Location Name or Route
Lower Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Early morning skies were broken and later in the morning through 1400 the skies were scattered with definite periods of few. As a result the solar radiation did it's typical seasonal damage. W winds were low end moderate in the morning veering more out of the WNW in the afternoon at the same speeds. Transport and or wind blown was only light at the most throughout the day and appeared only a minimal factor on the upper elevation ridgelines and peaks. Temperatures in the morning continued to be cold with late morning and afternoon highs hitting the mid 30's at mid elevations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Typical spring post storm conditions with the window for riding cold dry snow shrinking down to NNW, N and NNE with required slope angles of 25 degrees or greater needed to escape the solar radiation. That being said, riding above 9200 feet in the areas traveled on these shady aspects continued to offer incredible/excellent turning conditions in the top 10 cm of light density with totally bottomless carving. National Powder Day appears to have begun early this year and is in full swing. Trailbreaking beginning to get tough on the southerly aspects due to developing crusts from the greenhousing and solar from 3/3. Time to spend your days on the shady aspects until either the next incoming storm and or things settle out and base up with supportable crusts.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure confined to only the top 10 cm layer of light density snow that continues to promote either loose dry and or loose wet. Easily triggered Loose Dry in the upper 10 cm from slope cuts and general riding on slopes with angles greater than 35 degrees. Manageable with appropriate mitigation techniques. Widespread wet Loose with daytime heating and solar on W, S and E aspects at all elevations. D1.5 to D2 wet loose observed.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and Tuesday may see additional activity, yet much of it may be played out by now
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Cornices continued to be building during this last event even with the light winds that were in place, and with the warm temperatures and wind forecast for Tuesday these continue to remain suspect. Of note, with this next storm is forecast to bring moderate to SW strong winds, moderate to intense transport, high end PI, and red flag SWE, it is highly likely we will see another round of natural Cornice activity and the potential for triggering large and dangerous avalanches from wind loaded leeward slopes as well as deeper PWL releases outside of the upper Cottonwoods.
Comments
Mondays rating of moderate only applicable to natural wet loose as described above. Tuesday should see mostly a low danger except for an isolated moderate for new wind slabs forming in very isolated upper elevation exposed terrain. Yet by Tuesday night, and definitely on Wednesday the forecast should escalate to potentially high by late afternoon and into the evening hours if the forecast verifies. An Avalanche Warning may be appropriate for Wednesday late in the day and through Thursday with the strong winds, and large amounts of rapid loading from red flag SWE.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate