Observation: Temple Fork

Observation Date
3/21/2024
Observer Name
Schumacher
Region
Logan » Logan River » Temple Fork
Location Name or Route
Temple Fork
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Started with temps near 30F, light SE winds and scattered skies at the trailhead. As the day progressed, ambient temps felt warm, light winds shifted SW, and skies became broken.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface conditions were variable with mostly refrozen crusts both supportable and unsupportable and areas of snow that had not refrozen in protected forested areas. Generally, surface snow was refrozen in the top 6" with moist melt forms and various crusts below. Many low elevation southerly slopes beginning to expose dirt/rocks/ bushes (picture 2). Surface snow below about 8000' had noticeable dust layer on surface. SW aspects at upper elevations had a thin ice lens on the surface with faceting crystals underneath (picture 3).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Surface warming by the sun was being held off by the wind and cloud cover by mid day with surface thawing just beginning on most mid and upper elevation slopes. I suspect some wet loose activity was possible at the height of the day's warming on solar aspects near steep and rocky terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low