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Observation: Silver Fork

Observation Date
1/23/2019
Observer Name
John Mletschnig
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork
Location Name or Route
Silver Fork
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Loose dry snow in protected areas and solar affect on the souths 25 deg and steeper. East had hung on and stayed cold. Rime crust windward above 9k developed midday.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
All instability observed was after the wind picked up mid day. Lots of snow was available for transport.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Above 9k from 1300 on the winds were moving lots of snow around and small wind slabs reactive to ski cuts were the norm.
Comments
A thin (two day after MLK day) rime crust developed on the snow surface windward to the NW winds above 9k, 1130am-130pm. Icing on ski poles was observed during the event.
In the morning sluffing in steep terrain was notable on ski runs.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable