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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
12/23/2020
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Very cold temperatures overnight and throughout the morning hours. Moderate northwest winds, even getting down into mid elevations. Moderate wind blown observed.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Rime Crust observed up to highest elevations traveled, 10,200 feet. The crust is now buried in varying thicknesses of new snow. And, there are places where the winds have scoured the new snow down to the rime crust, in other places wind drifts up to 35 cm are covering the crust. Crust 1 mm
Dense settled powder riding in wind thickened new snow. This area remains extremely rocky.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Dence slab in place overriding obvious poor structure. Widespread collapsing with shooting cracks up to at least 100 feet long. Recent avalanches observed from natural cycle one week ago. Riders left wall above 1000 Turn Gully had filled in crowns. (See photo) Other less noticeable crowns observed in Tuna Cute, Stupid Chute and Old Reliable.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See above.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Active winds throughout the day appeared to be adding to this problem in specific locations. Stiff/Stubborn Wind Drifts observed. If the Winds abate by tomorrow these Wind Drifts may settle out even more and the trend for this Problem may decrease.
Once these winds have died down, Danger will be High Consequence Moderate. With active winds that were observed today, the Avalanche Danger Rating most likely was Considerable in isolated areas receiving when loading.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates