Observation Date
1/8/2026
Observer Name
Brackelsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Murdock Peak
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Snow fell from about 12:30-3:30 accumulating 2-3 inches. Strong wind blew on the ridge lines transporting significant snow. After 3:30, clouds began to break with a few patches of blue sky.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Cold Utah powder was being served up today. At lower elevations, you could feel some of the New Years Day Rain Crust below the new snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The strong winds were building wind slabs on exposed terrain. If the winds continue overnight, I would be concerned about wind slab avalanche danger on open slopes.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
My snow pit had full-depth compression and extended column test results on 21 taps. This confirms that it would likely just take finding the perfect trigger spot to have a very large avalanche.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
8,900'
Slope Angle
23°
Comments
Note in snow profile the preserved surface hoar 23cm below the surface. This was easily identifiable with a shovel tilt test . You did not need to even tap the shovel for the layer to fail. I would expect that wind destroyed the surface hoar in any exposed terrain, but in sheltered terrain new snow avalanches failing on this layer could be a concern.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
