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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
1/16/2019
Observer Name
Gagne/Heilweil/Flaherty
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Periods of heavy snowfall in the morning, capped with a few cms of graupel mid-day. West winds along ridgeline creating a few drifts and cornices, and also giving the snow a little stiffness/body.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very sensitive storm snow this morning with a density inversion. More details below.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Widespread natural, remote, and sympathetic avalanching.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Very sensitive storm snow this morning during period of higher precipitation intensity (PI) as well as some wind drifting. Avalanches were occurring on all aspects. A likely natural cycle mid-morning, with widespread remotely-triggered and sympathetic slides. All failing on density inversion within storm snow. All slides were breaking out 10-20 cms (4-8") deep, and running up to 250'. The largest slide we triggered was on steeper aspect on west-facing slope along Power Ridge in Cardiff Fork as we approached the slope. It triggered sympathetic releases further along the slope, up to 400' wide along the ridgeline. Widespread spider-webbing, and slopes required some steepness to run (> 35 degrees)
Sensitivity decreased by mid-day.
Photo and videos are of sensitive storm snow from Wednesday morning
Comments
With substantial water/snow/wind ahead, today's storm snow instabilities likely to be less of an issue going forward. In deeper snowpack areas (i.e. upper cottonwoods) am thinking avalanching will occur within storm snow and wind events. Am more concerned about thinner snowpack areas (< 1 meter) where the snowpack has different faceted layers that may produce deeper and wider avalanches.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable