Observation Date
3/3/2024
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Parleys Canyon
Location Name or Route
Parley's Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Windy of course. Direction seemed variable and seemed to vary between SW and W/NW. But not nearly so bad just off ridgelines and more exposed areas.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Generally enough snow to cover old crusts and ski pretty well. Snow was wind affected in areas but so long as you were skiing mostly out of the wind, did not seem as slabby and dense as you might expect given the high winds.
Melt-freeze crust was present and you could notice it in areas that were steeper.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Primary concern today was wind loading. Snow did not seem as connected as I might have expected (up to 8500' anyway). Cracking was pretty minimal. New snow also seemed reasonably well bonded.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Plenty of snow available to transport. Wind gusts likely approaching 30-40 mph with about 10" of snow. Plumes of snow visible at a distance. It seemed like the wind picked up around 11am too.
Comments
Dirt crusts on solar aspects were strong and supportable. On north facing slopes the crust below the new snow was softer and had some weaker snow below. In the picture below, I was able to easily remove snow below the crust which seemed like it could have more potential for avalanches,
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
