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Observation: 10420

Observation Date
12/28/2024
Observer Name
Ambler
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » 10420
Location Name or Route
10420
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Near the top of 10420 the winds were stronger but not as powerful as yesterday's. Still moving snow and creating wind slabs. Lower in the ridge the moderate winds were still enough to move snow and load up the leeward slopes
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
From last night and this morning there's probably around 6 inches of new snow with some graupel. The snow itself rides a bit heavily like yesterday's, if not more, from its density and the wind affect. Flotation is improving as the ground level hazards are slowly getting buried. Kelly's and Champion had a great point yesterday that if you're not hitting stumps and rocks, you're probably riding above the PWL.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
At least it wasn't rapidly warming yet
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
At mid and upper elevations, where I toured today and yesterday, this layer is becoming overloaded. The issue is exacerbated by wind loading but even in areas outside of the wind I was constantly getting feedback with audible collapses and shooting cracks. I stayed away from avalanche terrain and with limited visibility again, did not see any avalanches. A small test slope gave me a 30' long crack but didnt move very far. There were plenty of others and I've attached a few photos to add validity to these claims
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates