Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation NEW - Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Summit Park

Observation Date
12/2/2022
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon » Summit Park
Location Name or Route
Summit Park
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Weather Comments
The storm was breaking up over the morning and the sky was starting to turn blue.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Where not wind affected, the new snow was dense and surfy.
We were very surprised to find a graupel layer within the new snow.
Wind exposed areas were either a wind slab or blown clean.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Lots of red flags today. We had some significant collapsing. We were able to break a small wind slab off on old faceted snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
See photo 4 below of the small wind slab that broke above my skis. The slab was sitting on old faceted snow.
There was significant wind affected snow even on mid slopes (see photo 3)
Comments
Photos 1 and 2: Graupel
Photo 3: mid-slope wind drifted snow
Photo 4: 8" wind slab that broke on old faceted snow
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates