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Observation: Days Fork

Observation Date
4/15/2022
Observer Name
Greg Gagne
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Days Fork
Location Name or Route
Days Fork from Alta
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Moderate gusts of westerly winds at both ridge tops and well down off of ridgelines.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 5-10 cms of dense snow from overnight, much of it graupel. Storm slab has settled out to 30-40 cms.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Evidence of wind-loading, but other than one small pocket at the top of Main Days that cracked out ~10', fresh wind drifts were unreactive to ski cuts.
Comments
Lots of quick stability tests today - especially ski cuts on steeper rollovers - and overall any sensitivities with the new snow and wind-drifted snow have settled out as time and warm temperatures have stabilized the snowpack.
Some greenhousing noted when exiting at 1 pm, and with sun appearing late Friday afternoon, many slopes will be crusted Saturday morning.
For Saturday, any issues will be related to wet snow issues depending upon sun and cloud cover. With winds continuing to blow moderately, additional small wind drifts will be possible.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate