Observation Date
3/18/2025
Observer Name
Kelly
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Little Cottonwood
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Mostly overcast and obscured skies with one brief break where I could see across the upper canyon. Winds were primarily blowing from the northwest. Winds were more swirly below treeline and out of the wind zone it was quiet.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow depth of anywhere from 14"-20" out of the wind zone. In the wind zone there were places that were over 3' deep and other locations that were scoured back to the old hard snow surface.
Photo of snow crystals with unique shape.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
I was aware of recent avalanche activity in the upper canyon, but I didn't see any. There was heavy snowfall, wind loading and localized cracking in the snow surface within the storm snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
In a couple of hand pits on a 34° northwest facing slope out of the wind zone at 9,400' I was able to get an extended column test with propagation (x 2) 6"-8" below the surface on a density change within the storm snow. I also got localized cracking around my skis while ascending which was occurring above 9,800' in more wind affected terrain.
Photo of localized cracking that would be an issue on steeper slopes.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,400'
Comments
Today was a classic northwest flow style storm for upper Little Cottonwood Canyon with snowfall increasing as winds shifted to the northwest. Temperatures were dropping during the day.
Screengrab of Collins Study Plot snow and water.
Screengrab of radar showing a northwest flow crossing the lake and heading right up Little Cottonwood faster than the skiers.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
