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Observation: West Monitor

Observation Date
3/15/2016
Observer Name
Jim M
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors » West Monitor
Location Name or Route
Park City Ridgeline / West Monitor
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 6" of new snow at the Willow trailhead. 10-12" in West Monitor top to bottom. Willow had some expected wind affect from NW winds. New snow was well bonded to the old snow surface on all aspects skied. Wind loading on the ridge was much less than expected, given the typically windy location. Winds were in the 10-20mph range on the ridge...Not bad at all.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
There were shallow but manageable soft wind slabs on the cornices of West Monitor. One calved off naturally while we were there. Only got the top 3" of light density overnight snow moving. Wouldn't have packed much if any punch. Our last lap off the ridge initiated about a foot wide X 3' long (intentional) soft wind slab that cracked off my skies. Photo shows both. Observed similar natural shallow wind slab calving off the cornice in South Monitor.
Comments
I'd call today a moderate rating. Would expect the same tomorrow unless the winds and snow totals increase more than forecast.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates