Observation Date
3/21/2013
Observer Name
Konigsberg
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
Silver-Days-Cardiff
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were moderate around ridges and exposed areas but light in the drainages. Snow transport was less than expected with wind and wind loading was limited to ridges.
Temperature was cold in the mid teens.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
New snow formed cohesive slabs that were poorly bonded to existing crust. It took a bit of slope angle to get soft slabs to release and were more sensitive where there was more weight due to wind loading. Ski cuts very effective.
Soft slabs were widespread but shallow (mostly in the 6-10" range). They also moved slowly and lacked any punch. Most of the slabs were failing at new snow/old snow interface.
This instability may be settled out by tomorrow.
Comments
Picture below is lower Main Days. Avalanche to looker's left triggered by previous party (looked to be unintentional). Avalanche looker's right on roll was intentionally ski cut by our party.
