Observation: Monitors

Observation Date
1/3/2020
Observer Name
mark white
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors
Location Name or Route
Monitors, PC Ridgeline
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Warm and sunny at lower protected elevations, strong SW winds on the ridge line moving a lot of snow, also blowing in the bottom of the drainage in both Monitors.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
A little skiff or powder on higher density creamy spongy base. The density inversion from a denser slab sitting on top of lighter density snow still evident. The due S facing was getting damp by the time we left around 3:00pm.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Comments
Went up to the PC Ridgeline to take a look at what happened in the Monitors during the storm. The only avalanche noted was in West Monitor and it looks like it might have stepped down into older snow a little ways down the slope, it looked to be triggered by a natural cornice drop during the wind event. Both W and S Monitor were getting wind hammered all day today, especially S Monitor which was getting wind loaded, cross loaded and wind jacked all day long. We skied the sub ridge between the two bowls and the storm slab sitting on lighter density snow was still evident. I would think with today's warm temperatures and a little time this layer will settle out quickly. No cracking or collapses were noted in today's travels, but the continued wind loading still deserves respect.
Photos: the avalanche in W Monitor, rime on the trees growing into the SW winds and a video of S Monitor getting wind loaded, cross loaded and slabbed up.
Video
I would think we're moving into the moderate category in most terrain but still thinking considerable for wind slabs in steep wind loaded terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates