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Observation: Mineral Basin

Observation Date
4/14/2022
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Snowbird periphery » Mineral Basin
Location Name or Route
Mineral Basin
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
OVC for most of they with unfortunate periods of Broken. Greenhousing became an issue around 1230. Temperatures returned to seasonal norms. SW-WSW Strong Winds on the highest ridge lines with Intense Wind Blown observed. Later in the day the Winds appeared to veer more out of the WNW, but variability was the word with even mid elevations experiencing Wind Blown. S-1 Snowfall Rates were occurring throughout the day with minimal accumulations of no more than 3 to 4 cm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Two different days out there with regard to riding conditions. Before noon it was another excellent day of mid-winter riding on all aspects. By 1230 the sun became an issue with high thin clouds and Greenhousing damaged the majority of the terrain with only the Northerly aspects with slope angles greater than 25 degrees retaining cold dry snow. More Wind deposits forming and on the Windward upper elevation slopes there was rough textured Wind Scouring.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Wind Loading continues to be the most significant Red Flag out there. Of note, observed a small Wind Slab that was likely naturally released during the initial Precipitation and heavy Winds on Tuesday. This pocket appeared to have released on the old Graupel interface from two storms ago and still had a crown of at least 30 cm exposed even though it had been blown in. It was on a Northerly aspect at 9400 feet.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and continuous Plums were being observed throughout the day on the Upper Ridgelines.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Fragile/ Sensitive Cornices continue to grow with some of these fresh ones the sizes of mini busses and greater. New snow and continual winds capable of contributing to their size will help keep this problem active.
Forecast for afternoon sunny skies most likely will help activate Loose Wet on the Solar aspects.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate