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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
1/10/2020
Observer Name
Wilson, Cookler
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Surprisingly calm, even on the ridges. Cold temps. Enjoying the blue sky before (hopefully) a stretch of cloud-cover and snow.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Deep trenches on the up and down-tracks. Almost too deep to ski anything low-angle.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Red Flags Comments
Had expected to see more wind-affected snow, based on both the advisory and the weather stations.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Evidence of small new-snow avalanches overnight. Photos show pockets that occurred during the storm, and others that occurred towards the end of snowfall.
Perfect snow-cones on the sub-alpine firs show that at least the final several inches of snow fell without too much wind. Midday at the ridge, some wind banners were visible on distant peaks.
Good tour for viewing what the rest of the Wasatch was skiing: Benson and Hedges, Holy Toledo, Superior, Mineral. Good day for good lines. Presumably these skiers were ready to dial it back if the wind loading had been more severe than it turned out to be.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates