Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation Date
3/10/2021
Observer Name
E
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Perimeter
Weather
Sky
Clear
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Skies were Clear from 0900 till 1130, and then clouds began filling in from the West. From 1200 till 1400 the skies were totally Overcast with clearing in the mid afternoon. Basically, every possible sky condition occurred today, and at 1630 we are back to Overcast at 8000 feet. S2 snowfall was happening from 0600 to 0800. No Wind Blown and or transport observed.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Good winter like/shallow powder riding on Low to Moderate Angled slopes that did not have old buried tracks underneath. Scratchy undulated riding was found on much of the steeper more commonly ridden slopes. The unseasonably cold morning temperatures helped the new snow remain cold and dry until departing at 1330. The hope was for the cloud deck to remain solid throughout the day, but as described above, the March sun came out in force for multiple hours. It will be likely that East aspects survived, but S, W and WNW became damp and will be crusted on Thursday.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
The new snow bonded directly to the old (mostly crusted) snow interfaces, but the light density snow just above this bonding was very reactive on all steep slopes. Widespread Natural Loose Dry Avalanches were observed (see photo). The entraining snow was piling up to at least 45 cm in many locations. This Natural activity appeared to be triggered during the previously cited last pulse of precipitation intensity. When riding on slopes with angles greater than 35 degrees it was easy to initiate manageable stuffing in the new snow. The only place where this stuffing could have been an issue would have been in high consequence/confined terrain. Of note, despite departing before this concern may have been an issue, it was Likely that Wet Loose Avalanche Problems became active on sun exposed steep slopes during the mid afternoon hours when the sun was out in full force. These Avalanches Most Likely had more punch than their Dry counterparts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and on the shady steeper slopes this Problem may become reactive Naturally again with additional any loading on Thursday. The old snow interface was crusty and firm on many aspects, and serves as a good bed surface.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
See above.
Danger continued to appear to be Low with the only issues being totally manageable.
If the new snow on Thursday comes in on the high side of the forecast the Danger Most Likely will escalate to Moderate for Storm Slab and Loose Dry Avalanche Problem concerns.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates