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Observation: Argenta

Observation Date
3/6/2019
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D South » Kessler » Argenta
Location Name or Route
Argenta, Kessler
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Light rain at the bottom of Argenta. Winds picked up on the ridgeline with moderate S, SE and SW winds depending on how the terrain funneled it. Precip picked up sightly around 17:00 at ~10k.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Rain/snow line was right about 8k' in Argenta with a few inches of HST around 9k'. Slightly more around 10k. Dense new snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Wet snow down low and rain soaked snow to about 8k. Recent wet loose activity. Upside down snow up higher with a density change in the new snow. Sensitive wind and storm slab above 9k. Only breaking about 2-6" deep. On W aspect in W couloir there was damp old snow up to at least 8,500' with much recent roller ball, and wet activity about that elevation and down.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New wind slab developing even though there is limited snow available for transport due to the density of the new. Storm slab as well existing due to density of snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Lower elevations have some wet issues, natural and skier triggered activity below about 8,500'. I would think even with cooler temps it will take a little while for this to lock back up.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable