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Observation: Snake Creek

Observation Date
11/10/2022
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Snake Creek
Location Name or Route
Snake Creek Canyon
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly Clear skies in the early morning hours with Clouds filling in by mid morning. WNW Winds were sustained in the Moderate Category with Moderate Wind Blown observed. Temperatures remained in the low teens at Upper Elevations. Very light snowfall in the morning hours: (S-1).
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Widespread Wind Effects ranging from Pencil to 4Finger in hardness. Yet, in protected areas the riding conditions and upper 15+ inches were light, rightside up and excellent. HST had settled out to an average of 18 inches on the Wasatch County side. By 1100 hours the South aspects were becoming damp even at 10,000 feet.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Very little Natural activity observed from latest event, yet with the continual snowfall and winds, it may be that some of the activity that occurred during the High PI Rates of the storm have now been hidden and buried. See picture of a likely Graupel Pooling Slab that pulled out below these cliffs (aspect NNE, Elevation: 9600 feet); See above for Wind Loading information, and it was mostly confined to Upper Elevation Ridgelines. Cracking was observed in these Wind Slabs, yet they appeared mostly Unreactive and Stubborn. Regardless, the remote weather stations indicate this issue may be more pronounced in other Upper Elevation areas. Of note the skin trail and ski lines were being filled in by the hour during the morning hours from crossroading on ESE, S and SSE aspects. Of note: though not an issue right now, Radiation Recrystallization was observed with small surface facets developing on some of the solar aspects. And with the forecast for additional cold temperatures this may be something to keep an eye on.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above. The WNW Winds appeared to begin to die off around 1300 hours, and they may be played out at this point according to the latest forecasts.
In terrain traveled today, the only issue observed was in areas where there had been recent Wind Loading. Lingering Wind Slabs may still be an issue in the most exposed Upper Elevation Wind effected terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates