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Observation: White Pine

Observation Date
3/10/2023
Observer Name
Kelly
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » White Pine
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
I noted no rain while traveling in White Pine up to 9200'. Water beading on the truck in the parking lot and a damp snow surface from 9200'- back to the parking lot 7700'. Smell of rain low on the tour and it felt very much like being in a more maritime snow climate.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Roller balls on north facing slope around 300pm
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
7,800'
Slope Angle
39°
Comments
Winds moderate gusting to strong west-northwest. Propagation with prying after ECTX on ice pellets (old graupel) and decomposing stellars 70cm (x2) from the surface and with significant prying I was able to get very stubborn propagation at 142cm from the surface.
Second snowpit was on a west facing aspect at 8510'. There were some westerly and southwesterly aspects that had a stiffer melt freeze crust up to 4" thick in places that had direct sunlight yesterday.
Photo of surface snow on west facing slope.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates