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Observation: Patsy Marly

Observation Date
3/23/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Grizzly Gulch » Patsy Marly
Location Name or Route
Grizzly- Patsy Marley
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Blustery day, see videos. Bursts of Heavy Snow/gruapel at times up to S5. 1-2" during the afternoon above 9500, 1" on my car upon return at 6 pm. Transitioned to large dendrites towards the end of the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Generally about HST = 6" above 9500'. Mostly graupel some up to almost pea sized. Only about 2" at base of the summer road.

Few variable density inversions, likely related to periods of high PI. These will likely settle out quickly.

Snow above 9500' is sitting on a mostly supportable base. Some exceptions in shaded protected area in which it is easy to push a ski pole grip 4" down into the midpack. Occasional areas of new snow sitting on a warm/sun crust underlain by weak faceted snow.

Damp snow below 9500 sitting on a damp spongy base.

The new snow appears to have come in warm and seems well bonded on hand shear testing.

Drifts up to 18" deep along the ridge tops.

Much soft cracking, no shooting cracks in any locations.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
High PI rates during the afternoon, much graupel pooling. Wind loading in exposed areas, this would lead me to call the hazard moderate. If the sun comes out wet snow slides are likely, moderate hazard only due to the limited depth of the new snow sitting on a base that has been through a couple of warm cycles.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

A lot of blowing snow today, see videos below.

Moderate hazard.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

When the sun comes out.

Moderate hazard.

Video
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate