Observation: Whitney Basin

Weather

Sky

Few

Wind Direction

Northeast

Wind Speed

Strong

Weather Comments

Nice mild day other than burly northeast winds along the upper terrain where the south facing slopes were being wind loaded.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Nice riding and turning in sheltered areas with settled dense powder. The recent winds have really worked-over a lot of the terrain in the upper elevations.

Red Flags

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Today's northeast winds were drifting snow onto those slopes facing south which is a bit unusual for the area. Sensitive cornices and wind drifts along with cross-loading of gulleys was widespread along the upper ridgelines.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #1 Comments

Fairly strong and steady winds from a northeast direction have really worked-over much of the upper elevation terrain.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

Have not seen or heard of any avalanche activity that has involved the buried weaker snow. I'm thinking areas with a thinner snowpack that may now have a more cohesive and connected slab might be places where a person could trigger a slide?