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Observation: Caribou Basin

Observation Date
4/13/2022
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter » Caribou Basin
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek Canyon and Caribou Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Skies started out OVC and by mid-day there were sporadic periods of FEW before the skies returned to OVC. Brief periods of S2 throughout the day with at least 3 cm of accumulations. The Winds were Calm in the early morning hours and by 1200 hours they escalated to at least Moderate at all elevations with the Upper Elevation Ridgelines having Strong sustained WSW Winds with Intense Gusts. Intense Wind Blown was observed on all Upper Elevation Ridgelines. Temperatures continued to remain unseasonably cold.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The new snow from the past 24 hours was at least 5 inches at many locations, with the storm totals in Wasatch County 14 inches. Riding conditions improved significantly from the previous day with yesterdays snow now serving as a soft base with the additional light density new providing excellent turning. Excellent Winter-like riding conditions exist on all aspects. Many Upper elevation exposed terrain features with WNW-NW aspects have been wind scoured and have a firm uneven m/f crust. Even in areas with the new snow you can still feel the old snow surface when riding on 35 degree terrain and steeper in many locations. As well, in many areas the variable old snow surfaces are still creating challenging riding, and old tracks and "clinkers" can trip you up. Side hill trail breaking on slopes with angles 25 degrees and greater can be challenging with the slick/firm pre-storm snow surfaces contributing to this issue.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The afternoon Westerly Winds were continuing to build and add to Wind Slab development on NE,E and SE aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and these Moderate to Strong Winds are forecast to remain active.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Sensitive Cornices continue to grow with the new snow and winds. Cornices were easy to trigger even in the early morning hours before the latest Wind Events became active.
Forecast is calling for "Mostly Cloudy" skies with periods of snow, but the daytime highs will be rising on Thursday, and any periods of sunshine and/or thin clouds may help initiate Wet Loose activity on Southerly facing slopes. Direct sunshine and/or Greenhousing may remain a possibility with the intensity of the mid-April solar.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate