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Observation: Canyons Periphery

Observation Date
3/23/2024
Observer Name
Kelly, Canyons Snow Safety
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Canyons Periphery
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline North Side
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Skies were mainly scattered to broken sky cover with light snow showers from 6,800'-9,990'. Temperatures hovering right around 32°F at ridgeline elevations and warmer at lower elevations. Winds were moderate gusting to strong from the south-southwest and I wouldn't be surprised if we find another dirt layer in our snowpack from today's wind event.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Damp snow surface with about 1/2" of new high density snow. Due north facing was still soft snow. Damp supportable melt-freeze crust in melt form on east facing aspects. New snow had bonded well to the old snow surface as of 330PM.
Photo of snow surface showing melted out rocks, dirt layer, and melt-freeze crust on a more easterly facing aspect at 9,800'
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Normal Caution
Problem #1 Comments
Scattered snow flurries throughout the day with some wind-transport noted prior to snowfall. I didn't notice wind or new snow enough to raise the avalanche danger today. Snow surface seems like it will take the new high density snow on all aspects and I didn't note any buried surface hoar or weak snow surface in my travels.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,600'
Slope Angle
37°
Comments
Snow pit showed a stable snowpack in this location with no signs of buried surface hoar (as Drew found on Thursday) and a surface that did not have signs of weak faceted snow. One layer 12"-14" (25-35cm) below the surface that showed failure with compression tests (CT 17) but no propagation with Extended Column Tests. East facing aspects were soft and supportable making for fun skiing and good travel.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates