Observation: Bowman Fork

Observation Date
1/14/2020
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Bowman Fork
Location Name or Route
Bowman, Kale Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Broken skies in the AM with strong SW winds, heavy snowfall and decreasing winds after frontal passage around 1:30 2:00 pm
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Stayed under 8500ft, somewhat out of the blow, settled dense powder with boot deep ski penetration. Storm started with a round of graupel then big powder flakes ended abruptly at sunset.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Main red flag was wind loading, stayed in low elevation protected terrain for a reason today.
Comments
Knew the wind was cranking today so tried to stay in low elevation, wind protected terrain, went to a sub drainage of Bowman Fork, it was obvious that the wind was cranking up high in the starting zone so we stayed out of the obvious avalanche gully on our ascent . The wind was swirling in the lower elevations slabing up some aspects and scouring others. Lost visibility of the higher peaks around 1:30 and decided it was time to leave. The wind must have been really strong overnight, being that the Bowman trail was covered in tree limbs and other debris and it's fairly wind protected. I would think the wind loading and more snow would keep the avalanche hazard at considerable for tomorrow. photo: the avalanche gully we traveled had many signs of wind but most notable was the pelethera of wasps nest that had been dislodged from trees and a video of the wind in a super protected low elevation location
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable