Observation Date
3/31/2016
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Alta -> Days Fork -> Exit BCC.
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Felt very much like BC with fog obscuring visibility through late morning. Some periods of light S-1 snowfall with N/NW winds only felt along the upper ridges.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Clouds and cool temps kept the snow surface in Days Fork dry through late morning, but greenhousing and some damp rollerballs were noted at about 8500' when exiting at 1400. I did see reports from others noting greenhousing as high as 9500'. Upper elevation Northerly aspects will still hold soft, dry snow Friday morning.

30 cms (12") settled storm snow from this past week.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem #1 Comments

No avalanche problems noted today, but wet activity will become prominent beginning Friday.

Comments

Route was Alta -> Days Fork -> exiting via BCC. Storm snow and wind slabs from this past week have settled out, and today was a Low hazard where we were traveling. Still finding the old snow interface (now down 30 cms/12") still the weakest snow, but shears are more stubborn and aren't as clean as two days ago. Numerous ski cuts produced no activity other than some very minor sluffing in the few cms that fell overnight. Although the winds were blowing from the N/NW, it was only along the upper ridge lines and wind drifted snow was limited to very small, shallow pockets.

Photo is from earlier in the morning at 10500' highlighting N/NW winds and fog obscuring visibility. Noted a few parties in Days Fork today - common theme was Days has many trees which help provide reference when skiing in foggy conditions.

Low hazard Thursday. Will go with Moderate for Friday with obvious issue of wet activity. Am thinking gradual warm-up may keep the wheels on for at least Friday.

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