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Observation: Days Fork

Observation Date
2/20/2020
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days Fork
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds began to increase by late morning, but was not noting any transport.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Despite the sunshine, recent cold temps have kept the snow surface cool, and crusts are only on solar aspects. The snow surface on the northerly aspects is weakening/faceting, and it was very easy to get the top 5-15 cms (2-6") to sluff on moderately steep slopes (> 35 degrees).
Comments
Overall Low hazard where we were traveling. I did find a few old wind drifts from the past few days, but they were unresponsive to ski cuts or other stability tests. The biggest issue today was sluffing on steep aspects, where some sluffs were 30-45 cms (12-18") which is enough to knock you over in consequential terrain.
Going forward, the weak snow at the surface may be an issue with any wind-drifting or snow that falls later this weekend.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low