Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation Date
4/8/2016
Observer Name
C Brown
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Maybird Gulch
Location Name or Route
Maybird
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Weather was a bit different than expected today. Clear this morning until about 8am when the high clouds moved in. Didn't notice the wind down lower traveling to Maybird. Once in maybird ~7-7:30 winds were noticiable and gusty. Made the approach to the North Ridge of Pfeifferhorn, @ the col around 10,600' winds were moderate to strong with strong gusts. Winds were moving what little snow is left for transport around.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Saw almost every kind of snow this morning. Unsupportable many anywhere with some tree cover. Supportable freeze in most open areas despite the warm temps. Chute approaching Pfeiff had breakable sun crust above soft powder. Tiny little patches of nice soft cold settled powder. Also a little glazed shinny sun crust in Maybird basin.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Not as much wet activity in the east aspects of Maybird as expected. Compared to the wet previous wet activity observed in E-S-W aspects of Cardiff yesterday, and the uncountable glide cracks and large piles of wet debris observed in Broads and Stairs on Wedsday. The snow in the trees between White Pine, Red Pine, and Maybird had not seen any type of freeze, but luckly the open areas recieved a decent supportable radiational refreeze.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments

With the high temps and the absent of a refreeze last night in the trees, would expect the lower to mid elevation steep trees could have some activity. When I left the high clouds had moved in along with the winds seemed to be keeping things cold.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Gliding Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Would expect the glide cracks in Broads and Stairs observed Wedsday are ticking time bombs.

Comments

First picture 7:30, beautiful and sunny morning

Second picture 8:30 graybird and windy

Winds at the obvious col in the picture were moderate to strong

Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None