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Observation: Catherines area

Observation Date
11/9/2022
Observer Name
Trenbeath, Garcia, Kelly
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Alta Ski Area » Catherines area
Location Name or Route
Catherine's Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind transport of new snow picked up from the northwest as we got above 10,000 feet. Temperatures were dropping throughout the tour. The density of the snow falling from the sky decreased There were a couple of moments of the sun trying to break through the clouds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
This was the type of storm that keeps people in Utah for the rest of their lives. Right side up storm with decreasing densities throughout the event.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Very high uncertainty with the onset of this storm and the fact that it was continuing to snow and blow. We made the decision to avoid all terrain steeper than 30 degrees, we stuck to our plan and had great skiing conditions.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Winds picked up above 10,000'. We noted previous wind loading and sensitive cornices along the ridgelines.We saw smooth rounded deposits of new south on northwest- east facing aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
With 24 inches of new snow and 3.5 inches of water we had concerns over how the snowpack from earlier in the week would handle all this new weight. The storm started with graupel and there was uncertainty with how the graupel would react. Results in our snowpit showed that the graupel played well with the other layers.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
We rated this pit as a GCS of 8. Structure (3) Propagation (3) Structure (2)
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates