Observation: Butler Fork

Observation Date
12/31/2018
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
It was like three different days in one, snowing and cloudy in the morning, sunny and not too cold early afternoon, low clouds with breaks of sun, super cold and fairly strong NE winds in the late afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was 8 to 10 inches of super light density snow dependent on elevation.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Comments
Spent the day in Butler Fork, noted a few dry sluffs in steep E facing Butler Basin but that was about it for activity. The biggest game changer was the strong NE winds that kicked up in the afternoon and continued to move large quantities of light density snow, until we left at 4pm . These winds will load some slopes in strange places and cross load slopes further down than usual, any wind slabs will be sitting on light density snow from the storm and will be suspect for avalanching on steeper slopes tomorrow.
Photos: wind transport, video is of the NE winds transporting snow in the afternoon.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable