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Observation: USA Bowl

Observation Date
2/3/2019
Observer Name
Brian
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » USA Bowl
Location Name or Route
USA Bowl
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
25cm of new snow has bonded well to old crust layer from Friday’s warming on south facing slopes. The warm snow to start the storm helped bond the new snow to the crust. Near surface facets were found just below the crust layer on mid elevations, and was found to be reactive in hasty hand shear tests (Q3). The same test yielded no response at upper elevations facing south. The crust layer was much thicker (5cm) and was much more saturated from the day before. The crust at upper elevations was pencil hardness. The crust layer at upper elevations was much more saturated than further below and no facets were found. Even at upper elevations the new snow was bonding well to the crust below. New snow was not more than fist+ hardness in most places below the upper ridge lines where wind loading has hardened the snow significantly. No sign of cohesive storm slabs forming yet.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Wind drifted snow was very evident on park city ridge line above USA Bowl. Wind affected snow was worst right at the ridge and the danger was most significant on the upper 300ft vertical of the bowl. Below the very upper bowl, the wind loading problem was rapidly decreased. South wind was strong at the ridge line with a noticeably thin snowpack and wind loaded snow. Wind was light/ moderate at mid elevations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates