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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
3/3/2021
Observer Name
E
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter/Pioneer Ridge/Peak
Weather
Weather Comments
Still getting cold overnight, yet the daytime highs keep rising. Early out and back by noon. NE Wind high end Light velocities and it appeared to be escalating by departure. No significant Wind Blown observed, yet if this wind increases it will not help the cold dry snow that is still out there.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Settled left over powder much more dense above 9000 feet than experienced in the mid canyon area yesterday. NSF's and SH not as pronounced, yet still developing. M/F Crusts on ESE through S through WSW almost fully supportable. Ok to traverse on, but challenging and tenuous for downhill turning still. After today's round of solar and elevated temperatures the crust will transition further, but tomorrows forecast doesn't appear to be helping to mature the crusts, transitional time. Shmoo riding appears to be happening if you time things right on the solars.
Slide for Life conditions require caution.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor Snowpack Structure with Basal Facets and Surface Faceting continue to be a part of our snowpack recipe, yet they appear to be dormant and unreactive. As reported yesterday, the shady aspects have small grain facets at the old snow/new snow interface from last weekends storm. Waiting period to see when and if we get a significant quick load and how that might play out. Of note, thin snowpack locations on some of the highest ridge line areas housing 10 to 20 cm of advanced facets on the surface. As well in the Upper Elevations, knife hard hollow Wind Slabs of varying thickness (from 10 to 15 cm thick) were observed on NW aspects, and these had advanced facets under these Isolated Slabs. These appeared to be stubborn, but not tested thoroughly.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Much of the potential Wet Loose has already played out any significant problems, yet rapid warming in place. Still more Wet Loose to go on the off aspects, and the spring transition of the snow pack is occurring for the first real time this season. Drainage channels very visible on the lower half of the compass as the m/f crust develops and the snowpack shrinks.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
PWL's: Mid pack and Basal Facets not reactive and appear dormant, yet they are still out there (and especially in the thin snowpack areas); and waiting for the next big storm to see if they are really not an concern. It's very helpful we are getting solid overnight refreezes.
Very little going on right now with regard to avalanches besides those driven by the warming. Danger for the most part appears to be Low in the am with daytime heating bumping it to Moderate.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate