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Observation Date
5/1/2017
Observer Name
C Brown
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Warm day even at 10k. Light winds were keeping things a little cooler. Temps felt well above freezing down by the road but felt close to freezing on the ridgeline above 10k.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Lots of wet snow out there this afternoon. South side you could punch a pole basket 2'+ deep. No remnant of a MF crust left on W-S-E at noon today. Due north at 10k was damp today and roller balled when skied. I would expect a MF crust on all aspects below 10k tomorrow if we get a freeze. Forecast doesn't look great for good freezes, and there is a lot of snow from the recent storms that needs to transition before I would expect riding conditions to improve.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Very warm today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

I would expect LW to be the main concern with all the damp new snow that hasn't avalanched especially with continued marginal freezes and high daytime temps. With so much water in the upper snow pack and today's and forecasted temps I wouldn't rule out a wet slab problem.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

There are still very large cornice in the wasatch and with the temps today and the forecasted warmer temps I would give the corni some space. Remember, cornice can break back behind the actual ridge.

Comments

1) Roller balled ski tracks in north face upper Days Fork

2) Large Cornice

3) Cornice

Sorry for the sideways picture, I cannot fix this.

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