Fall Auction is now live! Check it out now

Observation: Silver Fork

Observation Date
3/20/2022
Observer Name
Gagne/Frey/Flaherty
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork
Location Name or Route
Silver Fork
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Relatively dry storm snow above 9,000' with damp snow below that elevation. Greenhousing going on by early afternoon at lower (to some mid) elevations creating very damp snow. ~10 cms new snow above 9,000'. No wind-loading noted anywhere we traveled today in Silver Fork.
Storm snow bonded well to old snow surface.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure exists on northwest through east aspects. Very spotty and difficult to trigger. Mid elevations most suspect.
Comments
The storm snow where we were traveling did not change avalanche danger. The 10-15 cms was well-bonded to the old snow surface and there were no weaknesses within the storm snow. I did hear reports of more sensitive soft slabs in areas that did receive more snow (such as upper Little Cottonwood), but any storm snow sensitivities should quickly settle out by Monday morning.
With so many sun and melt-freeze crusts, any sluffs or wet-loose activity on Monday will run on the crusts underneath.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate