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Observation: Butler Fork

Observation Date
1/15/2023
Observer Name
Fairfield/Kapacinskas
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Wind transport/loading was the biggest concern of the day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Wind loading was the biggest red flag of the day.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Winds were gusting high above 8500 ft coming out of the south, southeast and southwest. We saw signs of wind loading and cracking within those wind slabs. New snow was low density, falling at a moderate rate and wind loading at a high rate above 8500ft. Wind was light below 8500.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
At 8400 ft. at 10:00AM we measured 35 cm (13.7in) of new snow on an East facing aspect. New snow was light and had not bonded well to the old snow surface at that point. Sluffing occured on all aspects we skied and we had a few small new snow slabs release but did not travel far or trigger any other activity within the new snow. There was a MF crust below the new snow surface on South facing aspects in some areas. New snow was falling at a moderate (S2) rate throughout the morning.
Comments
There was a big change once we gained elevation in wind drifted snow, cracking and visibility. Wind loading was evident and seemed to be the biggest red flag of the day. There was some MF crust under the new snow on S aspects, however not as widespread as I thought it would be. Like I said above new snow was bonding very poorly to the old snow surface, whether there was a surface crust or not. In areas that were protected and didn't have a crust the snow was great for skiing. Snow was falling at a moderate rate throughout our tour from 600-1100.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates