Observation Date
2/22/2015
Observer Name
Bruce Tremepr
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Although ferocious canyon winds were blowing at the base of the canyons in town, the upper elevation wind was very light, which was a good thing because there is plenty of snow to blow around. Skies were mostly clear in the morning through mid day but the scattered, low clouds dominated the peaks in the later afternoon. Temperatures remained cool.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
It was one of those days....fresh powder, sunshine, hundreds of very powder-hungry folks out enjoying the reason we all live in Utah. Snow remained delightful on the shady aspects, albeit a bit settled and denser than yesterday. The sun exposed aspects developed a thin sun crust on them by the end of the day. Most of the popular slopes are completely tracked up, and for good reason.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Not many red flags. The new snow remained very well behaved with very little wind affect. There was minor sluffing on steep terrain but I could not see any slabs. Although there is faceted snow burid underneath the new snow as the old snow surface and facets between crusts, especially above 10,000' N-E facing, the new snow does not weigh enough to overload the facets. But we will have to keep an eye on the buried faceted snow if the snow piles up deeper.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Although it was not much of a problem today, wet sluffs might be more of a problem tomorrow with warmer temperatures and more sun.
Comments
Yes, the snow is quite well loved and appreciated. And yes, this is the backcountry, not a ski area. I'm not sure this is more tracks in Cardiff Fork than I have ever seen but it's probably close.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
There was quite a bit of sluffing within the new snow but not triggering any slabs.