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Observation: Porter Fork

Observation Date
1/16/2015
Observer Name
Toddeo
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Porter Fork
Location Name or Route
Porter Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Wind felt warm this morning. Wind was working its way done to 8000'. Some drifted snow in skin tracks at this elevation, even in the trees. It tried to snow a bit midday, a few rimed flakes. Wind was cross-loading snow.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Lots of surface hoar at the lower elevations. Mostly in valley bottoms, the wind may have broken it down at higher elevations.

Variable snow surface above 8000', some areas of 1 finger to pencil hard wind crusts up to 2" thick (photo). Not enough to stop you, but sufficient to make you watch were you were going!

Snow surface was a lot denser than 2 days ago.

Damp below 7500' including shaded areas.

Snow was thicker as the day progressed.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind loading is the red flag of the day. much cross-loading at the upper elevations and some at the mid-elevations. Enough to warrant attention. Minor cracking in new wind crusts, no shooting cracks. Still a bit concerned about the basal and lower mid-pack facets but I feel that this is not too bad of an issue in this area today. Low Danger
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Moderate danger for new wind drifts, cross-loading is a concern. A lot of snow moving along the ridge tops at times.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Low danger in this area.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,100'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments

Snow pack seemed relatively strong in this area/elevation.

Photo below of the crust (the snow not me!)

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate