Observation: Little Cottonwood Canyon

Observation Date
1/5/2018
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon
Location Name or Route
LCC 7500' to 10000'
Weather
Weather Comments
Perfect faceting weather: Warm sunny days - a little bit of warmth actually helps faceting occur faster Clear cold nights - the clear skies allow the snowpack to lose a lot of heat and be much colder than the air temperature.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
7,500'
Comments

I went looking in odd places to map the distribution of facets on the snow surface.

All NW, N, and NE aspects are faceted - on the surface and throughout much of the snowpack. At these aspects on all elevations. See pit profile at 7500 feet.

Above 9500 feet W and E aspects are faceted on the snow surface.

All SW, S and SE aspects are getting getting cooked. Wet snow during the day and refreezing at night.

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