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Observation: Cardiff Pass

Observation Date
11/16/2023
Observer Name
Kelly, Kelly
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Cardiff Pass
Location Name or Route
Cardiff Pass
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Ice pellets falling from the sky from 8800' to 9200'; above 9200' were rimed snowflakes. Rising freezing level throughout the day with snow melting fast below 9200' on south facing terrain and turning to slush very quickly. Clouds were in/out all morning with primarily overcast skies. Some periods of blue sky looking north toward Big Cottonwood Canyon. Looking down Little Cottonwood Canyon it appeared as though the rain/snow line was about 8600'.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Moody skies and sparse snow cover on south facing terrain looking up towards the ridge.
Lots of wildflowers still poking through on the ascent.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments
Snow on due north facing aspect at 10,050' was moist through the snowpack. Total snow depth in this location was just under 20". I wanted to see if wet snow and warm temperatures had impacted the weak dry snow on the ground and that's what we found on North and West aspects that were holding snow prior to last night's storm.
The snow above 9800' in elevation is still spotty, and variability is key. Above 9800' there was approximately 6" of wet new snow, and new snow height dropped significantly as you lost elevation. North and west locations where we dug that were holding old snow prior to the storm had a breakable weak crust that was propagating with shovel shears, but not with extended column tests. I would imagine with a warm snowpack in these locations that crust won't be present in a few days. It is something to watch here and in the higher elevation terrain where it may not be as saturated.
Snowpit on west facing Cardiff Pass showed an isothermic snowpack with a breakable crust 10cm from the ground and wetting facets turning to rounds.
South facing aspect with 6" of wet snow at 9850' in elevation.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates