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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
1/20/2020
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Pretty gray today, especially when compared to yesterday's sun. Temps were pretty warm (~32 degrees at the 9990 station) but the snow that didn't get sun yesterday was fine. Some trees were dropping snow, which is often an indicator of warming. Winds were generally light and there wasn't a lot of snow to move around.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wide variety of snow surfaces today. South and east facing slopes that recivied sun yesterady had a light sun crust. Wind affected snow in exposed areas. Other protected aspects had settled powder. 3-4mm surface hoar present in a few protected areas but did not seem all that wide spread.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Not really much to check today in the areas we traveled which seems a bit unusual. Hand pits did reveal that wind slabs from earlier in the week were now buried under Friday's snow but the new snow seemed to be reasonably well attached. I didn't find facet-crust sandwiches but perhaps I missed them. Interfaces between various storms from the past two weeks did not seem to produce easy shears.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
If I had to pick anything, there was evidence of past wind and slabs but even this didn't seem all that problematic.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
18°
Comments
Incrreasing density in upper meter of snow looked pretty good to me. Facets lower in pack were rounding and not particuarlly loose.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate