Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
2/16/2019
Observer Name
Tomasz Stefankowski
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Bluebird day up in Cardiff Fork today with the occasional gust making it down to the flats. It looked as if ridges were getting more effected by southerly winds and a wavy wind effected snow surface was noted from a distance. By the time we gained the ridge atop of George's Bowl conditions were calm. The sun came out in full force a few times throughout the day and the surface began to heat up, but hopefully cold temperatures prevent significant crust formation.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
At 7800' in a sheltered area I measured 18cm of new snow on top of a thin crust. Not sure if this was melt freeze or rain, but by the time we reached upper elevations the crust disappeared. Graupel in the new snow down low, higher elevations had perfect powder. In George's bowl we did not note any significant wind loading or slabs, but the west facing runs off Reed and Benson ridge appeared to be more affected by the wind.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
From a distance we noticed a medium slab that appeared to begin as a point release and eventually propagated into a larger wind slab. See picture below. Unsure if the skier who's tracks are next to it triggered the slide or if it was a natural avalanche. In any case it was hard to tell from a distance just how big it was, that being said even from far away a crown was visible.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The combination of yesterday's slide in West Monitor as well as this release in Cardiac are enough to keep me away from steeper wind loaded terrain for the time being. Yesterday's wind loading coupled with new snow overnight makes me concerned about buried wind slabs for the time being.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
Dug a quick shallow pit at 7800' E facing to check out the various crusts we're dealing with at mid elevations. Below the new snow and rain/MF crust there was a stout slab, 1F to pencil hardness atop of a thick crust around 95cm from the ground. It was tough to tell exactly what was going on directly above and below the crust but I found weaker snow around the crust. Something to look out for if cold temperatures persist.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates