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Observation: Moffit Basin

Observation Date
3/27/2018
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Bear River West Fork » Moffit Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin-Moffit Peak
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold and clear this morning with single digits at the trail head and only minor heating throughout the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
A couple inches new snow from yesterday that is sitting on a firm supportable melt freeze crust and go anywhere riding at the mid and upper elevations. Slight northwest breeze kept the wet activity in check and the riding and turning conditions were quite good. Still some cold dry snow in protected areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
A spike in the winds yesterday and this morning created some sensitive wind slabs on east and southeast facing slopes. These became a minor issue as the wind decreased and temperatures warmed up.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
A period of steady northwest winds yesterday and this morning developed fresh wind slabs on east through southeast facing slopes. They were somewhat pockety, but would propagate ahead of skis and sled. These were failing on a buried slick melt freeze crust. As the winds decreased and temperatures warmed many of these were settling out and not very reactive.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Still need to keep the persistent slab problem on the radar with rising temperatures which might weaken the strength of the snow pack.
Comments
A decent debris pile from an older natural avalanche on Moffit Peak.
Steady northwest winds the last 12 hrs created fresh wind slabs on east and southeast facing slopes. These were sitting on a buried slick melt freeze crust and were a little reactive this morning, but should have settled out during the day.
Took a photo of the Double Hill avalanche that happened this weekend from Moffit Peak. Easy to see how this slope gets heavily wind loaded from west and southwest winds.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate