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Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date
4/7/2022
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very nice spring day with a good refreeze last night, not too warm and just some light northwest winds kept the snow conditions from getting too wet.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The few inches new snow from the Monday/Tuesday storm really helped smooth things out and fill in some old tracks. It was good traveling this morning with enough soft snow to keep the sled cool and the turning conditions were pretty good.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags that I observed today, generally stable conditions with just some light winds that were not changing the avalanche hazard.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The few inches of soft snow left over from early this week should see some warm temperatures tomorrow and some wet activity would be likely of the wet loose variety.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
No wind issues around the mid elevation zone today, although in the high alpine I would guess a few tired old wind drifts might still be reactive to a person.
Comments
The spring melt slowed down a little this week with the new snow on Monday and Tuesday adding up to a few inches. The usual areas are starting to melt out like the bottom of the Whitney Road.
Nice traveling today with supportable snow and a few inches of soft snow to cushion the ride.
A nice clean slate today with most of the old tracks filled in and generally decent riding and turning once off the ridge line.
Strong northwest winds this week worked over the exposed ridges leaving some rough textured sow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates