Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Willows

Observation Date
12/18/2020
Observer Name
John Mletschnig
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Willows
Location Name or Route
Willow Fork
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Widespread collapsing observed with travel up and down Wills Hill area. Largest collapses were in areas on WNW slopes. We did not travel on all aspects. On NW facing 28 deg slope at 9500', slope collapsed with a skier with cracks opening up over 10mm in width and up to 100 feet long. No avalanches released nearby in sympathy... surprisingly. Recent natural avalanches (2) observed in West willow (SS-N-R2-D2-O). No avalanche activity observed in West Monitor... also surprising.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Relatively dense new snow has resulted in surface slab consolidation.
Danger of this PS problem seems most prevalent on W-N-SE, though its likely not necessarly limited to those ascpects exclusivly. Danger is most prevalent in areas with greatest surface consolidation such as created by wind deposition or simply large amounts of new snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable