Observation: Silver Fork

Observation Date
2/16/2021
Observer Name
Chachas / Johnson
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork
Location Name or Route
Silverfork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
PWL getting buried but not healing. 2.5 to 3 feet of storm snow, light fluffy to hand pits with 18 inches of weekend storm snow underneath. Ends abruptly on a MF crust in most areas. Wind transport noted primarily from the West and overcast with periods of heavy snow > 1 inch / hour. As we progressed through the alpine winds picked up considerably with hardly any tree snow disturbed in lower elevation (7,400 ft) but getting shaken loose at 9,400 ft. Wind slabs likely a problem tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Heavy periods of snow with up to 2-3 inches / hour forecasted all sitting on ball bearings. Backcountry primed for large avys avoid terrain > 30 or connected to terrain > 30 degrees. Lower angle terrain skied amazing but new snow depth almost too deep, bring the wide boards! Be safe friends.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Extreme
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Extreme