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Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
3/31/2016
Observer Name
Bill Hunt
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin backcountry
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Thick clouds and intermittent fog kept the sun off the snow, but it was still quite warm at lower elevations. Seemed to be a huge temperature difference
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
At 9380', N facing was soft. A few cuts in new terrain (for this storm cycle) did not show any cracking, but I would still watch for windslab on shaded aspects above 9000'. Even with the fog and clouds, the warm temperatures affected the snow at mid elevations. As high as 8300', N facing aspects were not immune, thicker and wetter by midday, with rollerballing that had me traversing out to lower angle terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Wet slides are to be expected on the sun exposed aspects. If we get a sunny day with warmer temps, as forecasted, watch for wet slides on all aspects though. An early start would be good even for north facing aspects.
Comments
The fog did its best to preserve the snow, along with the thick clouds. It was actually snowing a trace, which was great to see, considering how warm it was at the base. More thick rime on the trees. The snow at this elevation was a bit rimed (denser), but not too bad, still good turning. A few cuts in new terrain for the storm cycle, above 9300', did not show any cracking. Around 8300' the snow was getting wet even on N aspects. This was later than I am usually out, around 2PM. Around 7600' was a wet slide apparently from yesterday, with a trace of snow on it, on a NNW aspect, which struck me as unusual. Ran a couple hundred feet, with 4-5 feet of deposition (photo). Also, not a particularly steep slope, estimating 36-37 degree starting zone. My guess would be skier triggered, yesterday afternoon, a push-a-lanche that progagated.. Hopefully a decent freeze will solidify everything somewhat, at least till 11AM or so on the shaded aspects tomorrow. After that I would watch out for wet slide potential on all aspects below 8500'. Upper elevation laps might be a good call tomorrow, still keeping an eye out for windslab on the higher shaded ridges.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate