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Observation: Salt Lake

Observation Date
4/1/2025
Observer Name
Champion & UAC NP Staff
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Mill D North
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A mix of weather patterns throughout the day—starting with broken skies around 2:30PM and even some quick periods of sunshine. As the afternoon went on, cloud cover increased, and light precipitation began again. Around 4:50 PM, light to moderate graupel started falling, and winds picked up to moderate. Active transport was ongoing, with some graupel pooling in spots. Precipitation continued until we exited.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Anywhere from 8 to 15 inches of low-density new snow. Along the ridgelines, there was a bit more wind effect, and the snow gained a touch of density.
The sun made a brief appearance around 2 p.m., slightly increasing snow density at lower elevations. However, we didn’t encounter any crust formation, even on solar aspects.
New Snow depth near Mill D trailhead
A bit of wind texture near top of Powder Park 3
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Widespread avalanche cycle, similar to what Greg observed in Upper Little Cottonwood. We saw natural and human-triggered avalanche activity on many aspects, with slides ranging from 6 to 10 inches deep, primarily failing on a density change during peak precipitation intensity. Stepping off the skin track produced isolated cracking. There were a few brief weather breaks, but overall, light to moderate snowfall continued, with active wind transport along ridgelines and plenty of soft snow available for loading.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The storm snow was reactive today. While some recent avalanches likely had a bit of wind influence, most appeared to fail as storm snow instabilities, primarily occurring mid-day during periods of high precipitation intensity (PI). I wasn’t able to get up close, but from a distance, they seemed to break along density inversions within the storm snow. When the sun briefly came out, instability took a step back.
This problem will likely settle out generally quickly in the coming days, but instability will likely remain sensitive in the morning.
Natural avalanche cycle Mill D
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Throughout the day, there were obvious signs of wind transport, with plenty of soft snow available for movement. As the winds continue to pick up, I’d expect to see more widespread wind-drifted snow and a decrease in new snow instability.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates