Observation: Intermediate Ridge 1/21/2011

Observer Name:

Jake Hutchinson

Region:

Salt Lake
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Cardiff Fork
Intermediate Ridge

Observation Date:

01/21/2011

Location or Route:

Intermediate Ridgein Cardiff Fork

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

10"

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

New snow shows NSF under a 1cm wind crust. Measured a 3 deg temp gradient between the surface and 1 cm down just below the wind skin. Surface hoar was very active - see video below the rain/crust which was about 12-15 cm thick in this pit. I realize this isn't a widespread problem, but I have seen in enough in the last two field days to be concerned for the future on slopes where it may exist.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

I thought this was a great educational clip for demonstrating a Q1 shear - failure was on surface hoar 3" below the rain crust.

Video 1:

Observed Danger Rating:

Low

Forecast Danger Rating:

Low