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Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
2/22/2022
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek Drainage and back to Brighton via Sunset
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
S-1 snowfall throughout the day with accumulations of 1 to 2 inches. ESE Winds were Moderate with Light to Moderate Wind Blown on the ridge lines. Temperatures remained unseasonably cold.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Traveled mostly in the Snake Creek Drainage, returning to Big via Sunset/NW. New snow totals ranged from 6 inches to 10. Bonding on the old m/f crusts appeared good. Widespread pre-storm surface facets continue to play a role in poor snow pack structure and serve as a reactive interface weak layer. Our prolonged dry spell has facilitated extensive and deep facet development. Some areas have facets throughout the entire snowpack, while others are housing facets inter spaced with varying kinds of crusts.
4 finger/soft and mostly stubborn newly formed Wind Slabs of up to 18 inches deep were observed. Many areas appeared to have lost significant amounts of the new snow due to overnight Moderate to Strong NW-erly Winds. Riding on the Southerlies was still Bottom Feeding, but good. NE aspects have the best riding and many locations were bottomless with at least 12 inches of new snow from the last two events. NW aspects had a thinner HST. Where the old tracks were still prevalent under the new snow, the riding was rougher.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We have been experiencing issues from our high pressure regime now since the last two storms, and this latest one has finally tipped the scales with enough loading to bring about a Persistent Slab Problem. Reports of avalanches running on the old snow/new snow interface in facets are trickling in. It appears that collapsing may be becoming an issue in areas where the latest warm temperatures have created an ambiant/thermal crust that is friable with facets below this crust layer. These appear to be more pronounced on the N through ENE aspects. The structure is obvious when you dig around with your hand.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above and avalanche reports from the last two days. In areas with any kind of Wind Loading this issue is more prevalent. Any new loading from Wind and or New Snow will increase the likelihood of these kinds of avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Fortunately the winds have remained relatively quiet over the past 12 plus hours, yet there is ample amounts of snow available for transport. In any areas where there is any kind of Wind Loading this issue is increasing. It appears Jupiter is now experiencing wrap around Strong winds this morning/Wednesday.
Widespread Loose Dry Cycle was observed in many steep terrain locations.
Unfortunately, the Central Core of the Wasatch is littered with abundant Snow Pits that have not been filled back in. If you are digging Snow Pits, please take the time to fill them back in.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate