Observation Date
3/8/2016
Observer Name
Tyler Falk
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear skys warm temps which gave way to some clouds in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Most aspects other than NW thru NE saw enough sun today to make them damp and will be re-frozen in the am.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
The warm temps were my main concern today. Saw wet activity on West, East and South.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
I noticed loose wet snow moving on SW thru SE in a number of locations. Easily avoidably by changing aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments
I saw a few of what could have been storm slabs on steep east and north terrain at upper elevations. One or two up in the steep cardiac ridge shots and one in the Ballroom at Alta that patrol have must of pulled out.
Photo 1. Wet activity on SW aspect.
Photo 2. Wet activity coming off the rocks next to cardiac.
Surprised to see around 180cm of snow still hanging in there at the typical spot I have been measuring above the town of Alta at 8867 ft on a SE aspect. I was expecting to see more of the snowpack gone after the 30 or more days without snow. For comparison the Alta Collins snow tell is reading 231cm at 9662 on a more North Aspect.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
