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Observation: Big Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
1/7/2023
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Mid Big Cottonwood Canyon
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Broken skies early morning gave way to Few by mid morning with intense Solar by noon. Overnight temperatures teens with afternoon highs hitting the 30's by the afternoon hours.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Storm totals at mid BCC amounted to 38cm with the final 10cm consisting of mixed forms and predominantly graupel. Riding in the same zone as the previous day saw conditions being much improved. New snow was more based up and the addition of the graupel topping allowed for less bottom feeding on the southerly aspects. Four Finger Plus Wind Slabs up to at least 15cm were observed and these were easily shearing on the lighter density storm snow below these isolated slabs. S and SW aspects got damp/wet by mid day and will be crusted on Sunday.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Only real active Red Flag observed today besides daytime warming and Loose Wet was confined to issues related to the previously mentioned graupel. The skin track that was used on Friday (before the last round of snow/graupel came in) was covered by significant graupel runnells that were at least 30cm deep. These Loose Dry graupel stuffs initiated in the steep cliff areas and ran over 150 vertical to the transition zones where the slope angles let up. Concern for similar issues with the potential for graupel pooling in any cliff areas on the polar aspects may possibly come into play once the next round of snow and wind come in on Monday.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
See above.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
See above for potential for Isolated lingering Wind Slabs in exposed terrain at Mid and Upper Elevations in the morning hours. And, the potential for additional Wind Loading and more Reactivity possible on Sunday afternoon may be Likely.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate