Observation Date
3/7/2017
Observer Name
Evelyn
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Alta to Cardiff and out BCC
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Only very light occassional winds. Stayed cool, with clouds suddenly increasing at the end of the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The new wind blown snow from Sunday-Monday has settled, and as noted yesterday, stiff wind drifts were well down into the mid elevations. NE facing and tree sheltered slopes seemed to be the best protected from the wind, but I found the drift location to be very unpredictable at times, and definitely a show stopper at times.
Snow was starting to get damp by the time we exited on south at the lower elevations - I'd expect many steeper south and west to be crusted tomorrow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The only concern today was the wind slabs, and while widespread, all the ones I was around weren't cracky or reactive, so not a stability issue where I was. I would think in isolated places, mostly at the upper elevations, there were a few wind slabs that could be triggered. Pretty quiet out there, with many steep lines being skied.
Comments
Stunning blank slate in Cardiff, soon to be tracked.
For tomorrow, I'd expect the wind drifts to continue to settle out, and only to be an issue in very isolated places unless the southwesterly winds ramp up. Sun and heating will probably be the bigger issue tomorrow, with wet loose sluffs expected.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
