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
1/23/2021
Observer Name
B
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Lower Cardiff/Big Cottonwood Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Calm winds in early am with increasing speeds by late morning out of the WSW, yet they still remained Light with no Transport and or Wind Blown observed in Lower elevations traveled.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Overnight there was 30 cm of new snow with at least another additional 5 cm falling from 0800 to 1400; and there were periods of S2 during that 6 hour period. New snow made for good riding with a slightly inverted feeling that was mostly indiscernible.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Widespread Collapsing and Cracking observed with notable drops upon Collapsing. Poor Snowpack structure continues to be observed at the Lower Elevations as noted for the past month. These observations continue to come from sites from WSW through N, through ESE, with the more northerly aspects illustrating the most fragile, reactive and Sudden Results in Snow Pit Tests. Results from lower Cardiff: 7500 feet, NNE, 15 degrees, NNE, HS: 105 cm, ECTP 17, Multiple CTM SC all at 60 cm down, and CTE SP in new snow at 15 cm down (Storm Slab) with weak layer noted as a result of Melt Layer Recrystallization in small facets.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
See above, and Persistent Slab is now reactive again after a week of being seemingly dormant.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Storm Slab as noted above and observed in multiple pits. As well, this reactive and sensitive Storm Slab was confirmed as an issue, and reported by multiple parties that were traveling in the higher reaches of Cardiff Fork.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable