Observation: Brighton Perimeter

Observation Date
11/4/2022
Observer Name
Talty, Champion
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Brighton Perimeter
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Skies became went from broken to overcast today around noon as winds began to pick up in sync. Below ridgelines remained calm with occasional gusts in the low 20's. At upper elevation ridgelines, snow was visibly being transported in all directions.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Snow transport was visible at upper elevation ridgelines.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
We went up to Dog Lake (Brighton) this afternoon to check how the snow from 11/02 was bonding with the old snow. Skies became overcast quickly around noon, which was accompanied by increased winds. Mid-elevation winds seemed to be predominantly SW while upper-elevation ridgelines had visible snow transport in all directions. We dug a snowpit on an E facing slope at 9500' and found the height of snow to be 66cm. The new snow from 11/02 had consolidated to 27cm of light powder with a slight increase in density 20cm down. This new snow was sitting atop a breakable 1F melt-freeze crust. We performed a shovel shear test that produced a moderate result just above this layer (STM @ 41cm, Q1).
Below the MF crust, we found 2cm of small faceting rounds (.1-.5mm), which were sitting atop 35cm of F+ 1mm rounds to the ground. There wasn't much to talk about regarding the snowpack other than how thin it still is. I am more interested in the strong winds and dense snow forecasted to hit the area in the upcoming days.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates