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Observation: Silver Fork

Observation Date
3/25/2020
Observer Name
mackenzie
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork
Location Name or Route
Silver Fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Weather Comments
S5 Precip in silver fork until around 10:00 then S2 for remainder of morning
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Leaving the house in Silver Fork at 0845, 17cm on light density new snow. Along the Silver/Days ridge line at 1130, 27cm new snow. Still no signs of slab forming on E and NE portions of ridgeline. No signs of previous graupel observed.
Of note, East aspects between 8500' and 9000' still holding considerable amount of heat with moist to very moist grains underneath storm snow. No discernable layer of facets yet at interface.
By noon, increasing new snow densities causing pockets in the neighborhood to release small natural slabs.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Density inversion at mid elevations with new snow falling on top of it causing new snow to act a little slabby even in wind sheltered areas. Dry loose running far and fast on old crusts.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Most all stations showing moderate to low end of strong winds out of the south west and with the light density snow overnight, definite potential for hard slab along ridgelines.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates