Obs-Snow Profile: Mineral Fork 2/18/2011

Observer Name:

Paradis

Observation Date:

02/18/2011

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Mineral Fork

Location or Route:

Mineral Fork

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

Wind seemed to blow up and down canyon (southeast, northwest) at various times during the day.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Despite the high winds, for the most part snow conditions stayed good off ridgelines.

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Red Flag Comments:

The stong winds were transporting snow in different directions duing the day and were creating some soft windslabs. As noted above these the snow was better than expected despite the strong winds. The variation in wind direction (both up and down canyon) also created possible crossloading.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

The forecast calls for for continuted snow and strong winds. This will continue to build larger wind slabs.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Elevation:

Mid

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

I was suprised at the sugary consistency of the snow below the MLK crust in lower Mineral. This is in contrast to the much stonger snow observed in upper BCC.

Elevation:

8000'

Aspect:

North

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

40° 36' 50.6988" N, 111° 40' 55.4736" W

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate

Snow Profile Location

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