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Observation: 10420

Observation Date
12/10/2023
Observer Name
Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10,420 / Guardsman / PC Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Breezy NW winds along exposed ridges, but not transport.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The cold snow from Friday/Saturday dampened somewhat today with warmer temperatures and overcast skies. If we were going into another stormy period, this would be good news as it means no weak layers forming near the surface ..... but there's not much new snow in the forecast.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Despite the poor structure, no collapsing or propagtion with extended column tests and the facets down near the ground are moving to 4F hardness, indicating some strengthening.
Comments
I did find a few wind drifts up to 20 cms thick, and given they formed on top of weak, cold new snow, they were unreactive to stability tests.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates