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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
4/7/2021
Observer Name
E
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton/Alta perimeter
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Morning temperatures cold, but warming significantly and quickly by 1000. Light WNW Winds and really only perceptible on the ridgelines. No Wind Blown observed.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
25 to 30% settlement in past 24 hours. Riding conditions were very good until 1300, and then the daytime heating and solar appeared to adversely effect the snow significantly. Overall, the riding today was more creamy and "cakey" than yesterday. The settlement and warming from yesterday made the snow more dense and thus you were not feeling the bottom on most slopes. South aspects dry, creamy and very good at 1030. SW aspects holding out and good at 1130.
Of note, most Upper Elevation exposed terrain near the ridgelines had wind damage and the pre-storm crusts made for challenging conditions for downhill riding and especially uphill travel. Slide for Life conditions exist in this specific terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Roller balls were observed on steep E, S and SW terrain. Exit was made at 1530 hours and there was limited Natural Wet Loose observed. Of note, it was very easy to induce "push-a-lanches on steep slopes, and even at 1500 hours on E, S and W aspects at all elevations, and they were entraining significant amounts of snow upon decent. Of note, at 1500 hours on steep N facing mid elevations it was also possible to initiate Wet Loose.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above regarding Wet Loose, and it was Likely that aspects on the Lower half of the compass at mid and lower elevations had activity.
Danger appeared to be Low in terrain traveled with the steep aspects on the Lower Half of the compass rising to Moderate with daytime heating and Solar. Thursdays forecast for increasing winds may prohibit additional Wet Loose.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low