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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
2/21/2024
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Brighton Periphery/Wolverine
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Very brief period of solar during the early morning hours with no significant damage observed, and the rest of the day was OVC with periods of Low Clouds and Fog. Westerly winds vacillated from WSW to WNW and were Strong on the exposed Upper Elevation Ridgelines with Extreme Gusts. Intense periods of Blowing Snow/Transport as well in the Upper Elevations. Temperatures remained moderate again with the Lower Elevations becoming damp. Brighton appeared to have 15 cm of new snow to start the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Excellent moderately dense Powder riding on all aspects and elevations down to 8700. S1 sustained throughout the day with a 2 hour impulse mid afternoon that had S5. Daytime accumulations at altitude appeared to be at least 15cm and in places closer to 25cm.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Pit dug at 10,160', SE, 30 degrees, OVC, Calm Winds, Surface Snow: Rimed PP and Graupel, at 1200 hours: Purported Facet/Crust Layer observed at 65cm down: CTN x 2, .5mm Facets directly above Crust and showing advanced signs of rounding. (Ski Pen 12cm, Foot Pen: 50cm; entire Upper Snowpack down to the Crust Layer at 65cm down trended from Fist to 4 Finger Plus) Of Note: CTE BRK in density change 20cm down and this appeared to be the culprit weak layer in the below mentioned mid-afternoon Avalanche Cycle. During the High PI period in the mid afternoon, the combination of Wind Loading and New Snow saw a Touchy Soft Slab Avalanche Cycle that was easy to initiate. Shooting Cracks and Propagation were Widespread on all aspects and Steep Slopes in the Upper Elevations that were not being stripped by the Westerly Winds. Cross Loading and Top Loading were observed. Of Note: Much of the Mid Elevation Terrain appeared to escape the Wind Loading and Avalanche issues, and the only issues there were manageable Loose Dry.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Appears confined mostly to the Upper Elevations, and the 12 hour forecast appears to indicate this issue will continue and thus promote increasing danger as the Wind Slabs may increase and become more reactive.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Widespread Natural and and easily triggered manageable Loose Dry
Any periods of Solar on Thursday will Likely help initiate Loose Wet activity.
Comments
Considerable Danger only in the Wind Loaded Upper Elevation Terrain as described above. Moderate elsewhere.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate