UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Skyline

Observation Date
3/1/2021
Observer Name
Magerl
Region
Skyline
Location Name or Route
Electric Lake East periphery/Shepherds Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Sunny and hot.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Comments
Sun was high enough to hit everything, even true north facing, but the biggest damage was to be found on the south and southwest. The north stayed dry and consistent from 10 A.M. through 4 P.M. The south facing was wet and heavy over a crust, making for unhappy skins, metal edge and binding surfaces and ski topsheets. Some hasty handpits on west facing at 8,900 feet found an equal depth of fresh and crust (2 inches each) over about 60cm of unconsolidated. This was on a face that was largely exposed sage three weeks ago, now with a 70cm cover.
The north hiking and turns were good. The rest not so good.
Cresting a ridge running east/west, an interesting mix of wind deposits and wind slab on the north side and cornices directly over the top on the south side. Some small cornice collapses happening on the south side, but not causing any slides.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates