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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
2/14/2021
Observer Name
E
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridge Line
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Weather Comments
Early start and a done by noon. Overcast skies until 1400 and then Broken at 8000 in Silverfork. Temperatures unseasonably cold. Very Light Snowfall early and then NO Precipitation. Winds were Calm until mid morning and then Light out of the WSW on the ridge lines for a few hours later. No significant Wind Blown observed.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
12 inches of new snow in the past 24 hours, and this latest round was very Light in density. Storm totals appear to be at least 24 inches in BCC on the PC Ridgeline. Of Note the first 15 inches came in under much warmer conditions and these layers have settled out significantly and become a great spongy turning base for the last round of "Blower". Riding in the morning hours was superb.
Afternoon solar came on strong around 1400 and the Southerlies will likely be crusted tomorrow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor Snowpack Structure continues to be the Wild Card that doesn't promote confidence to ride steep lines, especially on the slopes on the Upper Half of the compass. No collapsing, and or significant avalanches observed. There appeared to be one person that felt it necessary to play with a Cornice on top of West Monitor and this resulted in a small Wind Slab Pocket being dislodged when it hit the slope below. There may have been more human activity later in the day. Of Note: there were definitely old lingering Wind Slabs from early Saturday morning and these were now buried with the new snow. The Storm Slab sensitivity from the past few days appears to have settled out.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and in the areas traveled the new load of snow and water did not appear to be enough to activate the buried PWL's and bring on any Naturals. It appeared that LCC receieved close to two times the snow and water as BCC with over 1.5 inches of water. Conditions may have been different in that region.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The Light Density New Snow was Sluffing easily on Steep slopes with a managable Loose Dry issue.
Wet Loose most likely became an issue in the afternoon.
Despite not encountering any significant Avalanche Issues, the fact remains any steep terrain continues to be suspect, and a Considerable Danger Rating appears appropriate for any potential Persistent Slab possibilities. With the potential for another two feet plus over the next 48 hours, we may yet see another avalanche cycle if the forecast comes in on the high end. Considerable appears to be the likely Danger Rating for Monday with the increasing winds and new snow, but if we do not receive this new load, the Danger may be closer to Moderate.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates