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Observation: Butler Fork

Observation Date
12/10/2023
Observer Name
Hardesty and Bombard
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Butler Fork
Location Name or Route
Butler Fork
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Friday's storm starting to show a little wear and tear from the last two days of sun and wind. Still, riding conditions remain excellent in sheltered terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
We experienced three good collapses at the top of the Wilson Chutes but no shooting cracks or avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
PWL slowly starting to stabilize. Cracking and collapsing will also become more infrequent over the next several days. Still, tests continue to show full propagation and Saturday's remotely triggered slide in Wilson Fork of MCC demonstrates that this layering has yet to become dormant.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We did not note any new wind slabs or observe active transport today. The highest elevation anemometers as of 6pm Sunday remain elevated and localized drifts are possible in localized terrain.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,500'
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates