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Observation: Meadows

Observation Date
1/6/2024
Observer Name
T Diegel, Patterson, Gregersen
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Silver Fork » Meadows
Location Name or Route
Silver Fork - Meadows
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Weather Comments
Very benign day between storms.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Despite being only about a mile from Alta, there was far less new snow in Silver Fork than was reported at Alta (ie confirmed the reported totals at Brighton and Solitude). NW vs SW flow differential, I 'spose. In any case, there was about 4-5" of new on top of a variety of surfaces; SE aspect had a crust underneath, NE/North soft underneath, assume that NW was too, but that softness was facets, at times over a thin, breakable crust. Since the new snow came in light with no wind on top of tired old facets, it seems like it could be a nice sliding surface as the much-anticipated new snow starts to stack up. It seems that every available inch of skiable terrain in the central Wasatch has been skied and there wasn't enough snow to completely cover the old tracks, which broke up the planar surface nicely so maybe that corrugation will hold the slabs in place? (I doubt it). Perhaps if these storms do indeed come in 7" dribs and drabs and the wind stays behaved the added weight will be applied gradually and thus won't slide, but it'll be tricky to tell and even the guaranteed sluffs could pack a punch with so many facets and hard surfaces to slide on. If I wore goggles I'd be putting on my avy goggles - neglected a lot lately - for the next few days.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate