Observation: Main Porter

Observation Date

1/13/2015

Observer Name

Coyne

Region

Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork » Main Porter

Location Name or Route

Main Porter

Weather

Sky

Obscured

Wind Direction

North

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Mainly obscured cover, with pockets of crystal blue skies approaching 9,000ft.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

12"

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Roughly a foot or so of new snow, very damp at the Porter Fork trailhead and progressively drier with elevation. Top 4" were slightly inverted up to 9,600ft.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Had a small collapse on a NE facing 34d wind kissed slope. Made for a good turn around spot.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Decreasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Loose snow natural avalanches in much of upper Main Porter went toward the tail end of the storm in steeper, rocky/shallow snowpack areas facing W-N-E. Most running about 500'. No major propagation within the new snow observed.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Along with some density inversion in the top 4" more exposed areas also had wind drifted snow, beginning to load form slabs, even from the light winds.

These denser storms are really helping Porter Fork out. The road and hiking trails can now be called ski trails.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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