UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Knob Mountain

Observation Date
2/19/2019
Observer Name
John Pikus & Travis Magaluk
Region
Skyline » Cedar Creek » Knob Mountain
Location Name or Route
Knob Mountain
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Light but steady snowfall in the late afternoon. Winds were calm below 8,000 feet, on the light end of moderate above. Winds were steady and not gusty at all. Very cold day out there.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Below 7800 feet there was probably 4 inches of light density snow on top of a stout raincrust. From 7,800 to 8,400 feet the rain crust gradually decreased in firmness until it disappeared altogether around 8,400 feet. From 8,400 feet there was probably 10 inches of right-side up powder atop a very supportable base in sheltered areas. In more exposed areas the new snow had a very slight upside-down feel due to wind effect. Nothing major but enough to result in very localized cracking while skinning up.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
As mentioned above, winds were strong enough to affect the surface snow in more exposed areas and transport snow. At this point I do not think this was a major problem in the areas we traveled but if winds pick up there is lots of low density snow available for transport.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We did not do any digging today but observed the remains of a large natural avalanche on a NE facing slope dropping down into Cow Fork from Friday (I believe it was one of the ones photographed by Brett.) This is evidence that the persistent weak layers that formed earlier in the season are still in play. With such a strong and supportable slab on top now I would guess that once the snowpack has a little more time to settle these problems will fade away but we will have to wait and see.
Comments
Toured on Knob Mountain from elevations of about 7,000 feet to 9,750 feet, mostly NW aspects. We found excellent skiing conditions especially above the rain crust line at about 8,400 feet. Did observe some very soft wind slab formation in more exposed areas and some dry sluffing of the new snow in more sheltered areas but no major instabilities observed on the slopes we traveled. The dense, wet snow from the storm last Thursday has condensed into a very solid and supportable layer beneath the new light density snow that we have been picking up the last couple days.
FORECASTER COMMENTS: Very good observation and I agree with John's findings.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates