Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
5/7/2020
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter/Snake Creek Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Overnight lows in the mid 20's with 40 degrees at 1200 hours at 9000. Moderate NW Winds appeared to die down by late morning.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Superb refreeze, with the Northerly aspects finally consolidating and becoming totally supportable with a thick m/f crust. NE aspects softened by 0930 and were still excellent riding well past 1200 hours. S and SE aspects were excellent riding at 1000 hours. All aspects were great riding once they softened with the slopes on the upper half of the compass having much smoother surfaces. Yesterday's dust storm not only made for slower/dirtier riding, but in the long run this event will enhance snow melt and promote mottling in the snow surfaces. Overall, the best day of the year corn wise, and at this point it appears that everything is up for grabs for riding if you manage your timing for ripening. Thursday nights repeat of cold overnight lows will allow for another great day out there. Friday nights temps look acceptable, but the daytime highs on Saturday don't bode well for a long day out there like today. And by Sunday things may be drastically different with SLC hitting the 80's
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Wednesdays daytime highs and a weak overnight refreeze on Tuesday night appeared to play a big part in more Avalanche activity. See Cornice Fall/Avalanche report. Todays cooler temperatures may have locked things up enough to keep those same issues at bay.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See Avalanche report from Pioneer Ridge. Despite todays temperatures decreasing the potential for this problem, many of the large overhanging Cornices have stress cracks reducing their structural stability. Caution may still be advised when approaching any of these features. And, by late afternoon on Saturday, things may once again become more sensitive.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
See Avalanche Report with photo of new Wet Loose activity from Snake Creek Canyon. This slide appeared to include Rock Fall and possibly this triggered this activity. The sun is strong right now and these possibilities can not be overlooked even on these cooler days.
Comments
Use of self arrest equipment is advised in any travel in steep terrain on all aspects and elevations, as the surfaces out there are very firm and slick.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low