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Observation: Parleys Canyon

Observation Date
1/20/2024
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon
Location Name or Route
Parley's Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Precipitation started mid-day and was rain - snow mix at about 7000 feet
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Spongy, warm-ish snow. Some spotty minor crusts on west, east, and south.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still <1 meter from basal facets, although not much energy right now. Snow from recent storms has formed a dense slab over this PWL.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Bottom portion of snowpack is entirely composed of facets. Some small facets also observed at interface between storms from last week. Neither of these produced easy propagation suggesting greater difficultly to trigger. Warm temperatures are have likely slowed or stopped the faceting process.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
7,600'
Slope Angle
15°
Comments
By afternoon, rain snow mix seemed to be creating minor channeling in snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates