Observation Date
12/14/2024
Observer Name
Grainger, Kelly
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon
Location Name or Route
Bowman-Gobblers-Porter
Weather
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Precipitation began mid morning and lasted through mid afternoon. Moderate winds, gusting stronger on ridge-tops and in terrain-influenced areas. Air temperatures were above freezing until 9,000' when it turned back to winter. Nearby weather station at 9,400' dropped from 33° to 27°F with winds blowing from the south 30 gusting to 50 MPH (see video below).
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow from 6,200' to 9,000' was mushy and full on spring conditions with glopped skins, melting water out of the trees and a damp snow surface. Above 9,000' we got into more winter terrain with colder drier snow and more wind. There was some light riming on the snow surface in the wind zone. Settled depth of 1"-3" damp snow at lower elevations and like 4"-7" from yesterday's storm at higher elevations. Some wind loaded areas were up to 18" deep and in most locations above 9,000' we could still feel the faceted snow near the ground on west-north-east aspects.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
We saw isolated wind drifted snow avalanches on north facing slopes above 9,800' in elevation. These wind drifted zones were isolated to ridgelines and were breaking out with skis on steep (greater than 35° slopes) 8"-12" deep, 15' wide and running 10'-20' before stopping in terrain features. On broader more planar slopes out of the wind zone this was not a problem. The failure plane for these wind slabs was on the new/old interface and we observed no slides breaking down to the older weaker faceted snow near the ground.
Snow Profile Video
Based on what we saw today with the warm temperatures below 9,000' I will be looking for areas below that elevation that have warmed up enough to have destroyed any surface weakness. I'm not sure if it was enough of an extended warmup to melt out mid pack and basal facets on north facing slopes below this elevation, but will keep an eye out. I also wouldn't rule out weird surface hoar activity above 9,000' as a few quick hand pits showed a near surface shear and in many places we could see faceted crystals near the surface. We also saw a dirt layer that came in with yesterday's storm and may be noteworthy as the season progresses.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
