Observation Date
12/26/2022
Observer Name
Chasen Fairfield
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Argenta - Big Cottonwood Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Weather Comments
Warm temperatures have created a melt freeze crust and also have made the snow more prone to wet slide avalanches.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Melt-freeze crust surface pretty much from top to bottom on Argenta from 0930 - 1330. ( 9:30AM to 1:30 PM)
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Between approx. 45cm - 85cm we have a facet filled PWL (persistent weak layer) that at 9500ft. on North/Northwest aspects on Argenta is between 90cm - 130cm beneath the surface.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Between approx. 45cm - 85cm we have a facet filled PWL (persistent weak layer) that at 9500ft. on North/Northwest aspects on Argenta is between 90cm - 130cm beneath the surface. It is a fist level firmness. At 100cm snow temp was -8.0 degrees Celsius, at 72cm the snow temp was -6.3 Celsius and at 43cm it was -4.8 degrees Celsius.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Normal Caution
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
A melt freeze crust has developed from warm temperatures over the past couple days. This creates more difficult skiing/riding conditions, and also a more dangerous surface as far as avalanches are concerned, for new snow to fall on in the coming days. Wet snow avalanches were also a concern today.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
15°
Comments
Wet snow avalanches and our persistent weak layer were the two areas of greatest concern. The melt freeze crust was still widespread and wet avalanche activity was not present when I got off the slope at 13:30.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
