Observation: Cardiff Pass

Observation Date

1/12/2017

Observer Name

Noel Stewart

Region

Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Pass

Location Name or Route

Cardiff Pass

Weather

Sky

Obscured

Precipitation

Moderate Snowfall

Wind Direction

Southeast

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Moderate snowing with poor vis. Winds about 15 MPH at Southeast

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

13"

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow was light pow with good turning conditions-broke up track did not see any slab cracking on corners, but did see sluffing generally on uptrack.

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Red Flags Comments

Obvious wind loading and cornices forming on many aspects particularly on East

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Wind Slab becoming more prominent and showing loading in various aspects

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

Deep snow Loading could become slab with adding in the wind loading

Snow Profile

Aspect

Southeast

Elevation

10,000'

Slope Angle

38°

Comments

Party of one about 3 pm broke up track to Cardiff Ridge line. Moderate snow storm in progress, wind loading and cornice development was pronounced. There could be added slab development with increasing winds. Turning conditions were light Utah pow. Did see some sloughing with ski cuts but not sliding. Snow dishing out and small sloughing with deep snow in turns.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Considerable

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Considerable

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