UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Wolverine Bowl

Observation Date
3/20/2023
Observer Name
Staples/Sisk
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Wolverine Bowl
Location Name or Route
Wolverine Bowl
Weather
Weather Comments
Calm midday then ripping storm by about 3
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great improvement in the riding quality
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
A few small slides he released naturally from very steep terrain in Wolverine Cirque. Not sure if they were loose snow sloughs or small wind slabs.
Comments
Two main issues (and I think in terms of the layers on which avalanches will break).
  1. The new snow had several density changes and some graupel in it. Winds whipping around the new snow this afternoon formed nice soft slabs on top of the new snow.
  2. The old snow surface is a total mixed bag. Winds this last weekend really made it highly variable, but there are definitely areas with weak snow (some a little faceted) near the old snow surface.
  3. In some places the old snow surface is very hard wind "worked" snow from this past weekend. I think the snow will bond well to these hard surfaces, but the will allow avalanches breaking within new snow to run far and fast.
  4. On slopes that got sun, there is a crust. It varies in thickness depending on how much sun. What's interesting is that the snow under the crust is very soft and in some places a bit faceted. Not an issue tomorrow, but maybe later this week as the new snow stacks up.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates