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Observation: Cardiff Bowl

Observation Date
12/6/2022
Observer Name
Beej
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Bowl
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Bowl / Cardiff Pass
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
A lot of areas of rotten snow from november, new snow isn't hanging onto steep things well. N/ NE facing aaspects have some weak layers forming near the ground and above and below crusts. Even certain south facing aspects that are shaded had thick weak layers underneath the new snow. You could just see cracking and collapsing all along these steep shady southfacing areas where the weak layer is more persistent.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Winds coming from the west and northwest created some windrifts 6"-12" on various aspects. The wind has shifted around so certain wind scoured areas were getting deposited with wind drifted snow over the night. So east / south east facing stuff had some wind loading. Steeps were sloughing this wind loaded snow very easy.
Comments
new wind loaded stuff is sloughing, old shaded areas with november snow are still creating avalanches. Buried sugar all over the place.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates