Observation: Park City Ridgeline

Dug several quick pits today and was consistently finding weak layer to be at storm snow interface where it appears there is a layer of light density stellars that fell early in the storm. Am guessing any storm snow instabilities will have settled out by Wednesday am, but wind drifts may take another day or so. Not crazy about the structure where the wind drifts from the S/SE winds have loaded slopes on N through W aspects. These drifts are 4F/1F and are sitting on top of lighter density stellars as well as some faceted snow*** at the upper elevations. But I suspect these will heal quickly as well. Some of these wind drifts are approaching 60 cms (2'), and given the density inversion/faceted snow underneath, I'd give them another day to settle out before jumping onto an upper elevation aspect that has been wind loaded as any slide is potentially large.

(*** Facets in late March?? I heard from many people over this past (warm) weekend that upper elevation north aspects were still holding dry snow. Good indication that faceting/recrystallization was likely still at work. From what I saw today, some upper elevation northerly aspects have faceted snow sitting underneath the storm snow.)

Afternoon Cottonwood Canyon forecast highlights trace amounts of new snow, light winds, and cool temps. Any sun will quickly affect the snow surface, but am guessing wet activity won't be much of a concern for Wednesday.

Video on a N/NW aspect at 9900' along Park City ridgeline. 50 cms (20") storm and wind-drifted snow on top of lighter-density snow that fell early in the storm. Was consistently finding this old snow/new snow interface to be the weakest layer in the snowpack.

Exited at 1200 and were still finding soft dry snow, but I suspect any period of sun in the afternoon dampened the snow surface. Snow depths little tricky due to windward slopes that were fetched and lee slopes which were wind drifted. Outside of wind-affected terrain, finding about 50 cms (20") storm snow.