Observation: Toledo Bowl

Observation Date
3/21/2018
Observer Name
Nathan Chaszeyka
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Toledo Bowl
Location Name or Route
Toledo Peak
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
The wind felt light until reaching the ridge where it became noticeable. Weather reports had been for snowfall, but it was not evident that any had fallen.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Sun exposed slopes have taken a beating the last few days. Crust has developed on the bottom half of the compass. Due south aspects were supportable in the early morning, with others treacherously breakable. Northerly slopes were soft with freshly deposited snow from overnight wind transport in many areas.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Northerly slopes held quite a lot of wind deposited soft snow and the SW winds continued to transport more while we were out. The snow remains somewhat "punchy" under the fresh deposits and radiant crusts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Most of what we encountered appeared to be freshly deposited and lacked cohesion, but we traveled cuatiously aware that the danger of triggering a windslab exists.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable