Observation Date
2/19/2021
Observer Name
Bombard
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North
Location Name or Route
Mill D North
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Fully obscured skies. Judging by the general direction of falling snow on top of the Cone, I'd say moderate WNW winds on the ridge line. No wind in lower protected terrain. Snowfall mostly light, graupel. Down at Spruces, at 9a, heavier snowfall.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
A millimeter of melt-freeze crust on top of creamy powder.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Suspect wind loading given the transport-strength winds on the ridge line.
Dug a pit at 8720ft, N. HS 147. The new storm snow has slabbed up pretty well and right-side up, as others have already observed. 38cm of faceted junk beneath 100cm of slab. ECTPX. Was able to rip the slab out with some effort.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Comments
Judging by the number of tracks in Powder Park 3 this morning, people have taken the avalanche danger to heart and stuck to low-angle terrain. No avalanches observed. Based on my observations today, mid-elevation slopes seemed to warrant a "considerable" danger rating. Don't see that changing until that basal facet layer heals up.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
