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Observation: Superior

Observation Date
3/12/2021
Observer Name
Jimmy G
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Superior
Location Name or Route
Superior
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Observed winds from the south being funneled every which way atop the E Ridge of Superior this morning from 7:30 on. On the ridgeline, those 25mph winds feel a lot stronger than they do on paper.
Cornices on the summit of Superior suggest wind loading from the NW. As such, lots of sensitive pockets of wind slab on S-facing that sluffed easily and exposed the underlying hard snow surface (photo 1).
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I perceive slide for life conditions on steep S-facing terrain despite the new snow.
Comments
I am choosing the danger rating as Low for high elevation south-facing, as the old snow surface felt locked up and the new snow did not seem to pose a considerable avalanche hazard.
I can't say the same for north-facing. The observed wind loading from the south would make me reluctant to drop in on these aspects without seeing what the wind has deposited.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates