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Observation: Oquirrh Mountains

Observation Date
2/22/2018
Observer Name
John Mletschnig
Region
Salt Lake » Oquirrh Mountains
Location Name or Route
South Fork Ophir Canyon, Oquirrh Mtns.
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Snow moving and winds howling near ridge level at 10500'.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Overall snow depth is wildly low. Very little snow on South aspects up to ridge levels above 10k. 30 to 50cm on the ground on protected North 8000-9500', 9500-10500 still only 50-80cm. Skiing was touch and go but surprisingly good high.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Lots of facets on high northerlies
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

On high elevation northerlies Depth Hoar near the ground is dry, slightly rounded but still F harness, 2-3mm. Slab above is 1F. We had one collapse to the depths of the snowpack while skinning through a cross-loaded low angle slope. Areas with stiff wind affected surface slab on top were most suspect.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Northerly slopes lee to S winds off high ridges were loading consistently through the day.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments

[Forecaster Comments - An observation from the Oquirrhs - thanks so much!

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates