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
12/26/2016
Observer Name
Hardesty, Wilson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork » Cardiac Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cardiac Ridge
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Glorious
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Storm snow on the ridge seemed to be about 12-16" with slight wind effect up high. SE didn't seem to go off due to intermittent clouds and cold temps.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Widespread natural size 1-1.5 loose dry sluffs on slopes steeper than 40°. Only one natural sluff pried out a 18" deep and 45' pocket in a steep transition zone below the Reed/Benson ridgeline at 9200' west facing. Timing unknown. Photo below.

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

Another shallow storm slab noted with skier interaction below the Hallway Coulouir - roughly 12" deep and 20' wide. Mid-morning. Photo below. 9500' west facing.

Comments

Healing storm interfaces within the storm snow. A thin layer of facets beneath a melt freeze crust on southeast facing slopes but not reactive. Skiers hit many steep lines today on a number of aspect and elevations.

Plenty of snow to blow around for wind slabs if Tuesday eve's winds verify. Storm may stay to the north, however.

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