Observation Date
12/8/2016
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Calm to begin the tour but winds and snowfall increasing while we were out.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Lots of great powder to be had. Slabbing up and becoming a bit upside down in the wind zones. An abundant of loose facets found on the surface.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Lots of wind transport along the ridges and cross loading going on mid slope. Lots of facets found at the surface of a variety of aspects and elevations. Getting cracking on fresh wind drifted slopes in the photo below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Still plenty of snow available for transport. Cross loading mid slope and lee ward sides of ridges was our main concern today. I expect the danger to increase and become more widespread as the forecasted storms roll in.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Things could get very touchy depending on the intensity and duration of the storm. We know there is no shortage of weak snow at the surface of a variety of aspects and elevations. With the forecasted snow totals and PI rates I'll be suspect of all steep slopes.

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