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Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Observation Date
12/28/2024
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Warm, wet and windy. Well below ridgelines and out of the wind, you could hear the wind roaring overhead before reaching the wind zone. Snow eventually turned to rain by about 2pm at 7000' creating a roof avalanche cycle.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow was upside down with dense snow over lower density snow making for difficult trail breaking. Snow was heavily wind affected and pretty deep in spots. Sometimes you would walk into a more wind drifted spot and sink into the facets. Slight temperature crust up to about 8000'. This led to cracking on almost every step (pictures below).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Didn't see any avalanches today in areas travelled but otherwise one of the few days with basically all red flags present (warming checked only because of rain on snow at lower elevations).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Weak faceted snow below dense, wind driven snow is the perfect set up for avalanches. Increasing danger checked because of more snow on the way.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Wind was helping to load and form dense slabs of snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates