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Observation: Primrose Cirque

Observation Date
3/30/2021
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Provo » Provo Canyon » North Fork Provo R. » Primrose Cirque
Location Name or Route
Primrose Cirque
Weather
Weather Comments
Clear and Sunny but it stayed cool.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Some dense powder remains on north faces above about 8000 feet
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There is an ice crust about a foot deep (30-40 cm). We found it on a NE aspect at 8800. UDOT avalanche personnel found a similar crust near 10,000 feet.
In coming days, the snow above this crust will become wet and produce wet loose avalanches that will slide on this crust.
There were plenty of wet loose avalanches from previous warm days on S and E aspects.
Comments
About 90 cm deep, we found a very thin layer of rounding facets. It didn't break in a extended column test, but when I pryed on the column it popped out on this layer.
So, it was not a concern at this location but it tells me that it could exist other places, and maybe a few wet slabs could happen on it.
A regular observer discovered a natural avalanche on a different faceted layer in the Cold Fusion couloir about 6 days ago.
Video
Overall coverage is pretty lean on south aspects. There was limited snow on these aspects early in this winter, and it never caught up. I expect to see major losses in coverage this week and over the coming weekend.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates