Observation: Broads Fork

Observation Date
2/19/2016
Observer Name
Brian Muller and Mark Pugliese
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Broads Fork
Location Name or Route
Broads Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
We headed out early in the AM hoping the winds would not verify, but they certainly did. Down low in Broads was blowing 25-30 at times, and as it got light, ridgetops looked to be steady at 40 and likely gusting into the 60's.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Below about 9000 feet, there is now a stout melt freeze crust that is buried by only about 2" of snow. The snow didn't start in earnest yesterday until the temperature had dropped 10-15 degrees, which gave the base a chance to setup with lovely character. This was present even on the northerly aspects. The skiing quality was less then good, and varied quite a bit due to wind effect.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
I won't put recent avalanche as a red flag as the avalanche I observed was only a glide, however we had a substantial long lasting collapse high up in Broads fork on a N facing slope. Graupel pooling was noted in the less steep areas, but the area we had the large collapse was due to spindrift and wind deposition below cliffs. Winds in the mid elevations were above what we expected, and high up looked quite challenging. Of note was the variable wind direction which looked to have varied from S-W-N, although most of the deposition was on eastery slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Very disbursed around the compass, although not connected or too big in size. They seem to be mostly present at the high elevations, however in areas in Broads the deposition was occurring much of the way down the slope as well in runs like Blue Ice and the Diving Board, and on the northerly slopes underneath Dromedary and Sunrise. In my opinion there are certainly "pockets" of areas that the likelihood of triggering a wind slab is considerable, which would make the rating considerable.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Did not experience this as we were out by 9am, but with the forecasted temps I would certainly put this as our second problem of the day

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