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Observation: Cardiff Fork

Observation Date
2/26/2022
Observer Name
Bill Nalli
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Fork
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Fork
Weather
Weather Comments
Clear sky, single digit temps AM, teens mid-day. Light N wind. High sun angle made for the most intense solar radiation of the season.
Comments
East through north aspects in Cardiff have 6"-8" of fine settled powder at the surface with 4"-8" of 4F to F hard 4mm facets below. This combination makes the new snow feel deeper than it is and the skiing excellent. Other than some very small DL-N's in the steepest terrain, no other signs of instability were noted. That is, except for the poor structure near the surface. The photo below is representative of most mid elevation, sheltered terrain on the shady side of the compass. In this location the new snow was not consolidated and deep enough to be a slab but the thick weak layer of facets below is plenty weak enough to be a concern with the next significant load. If March comes roaring in like a lion areas with this structure will be off limits. With a slight change in aspect toward the sun, E facing slopes have a fragile sun crust between the facets and new snow and SE facing slopes have a full on, supportable sun crust as a slick bed surface with 4"-6" of new on top.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates