Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation NEW - Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date
3/1/2022
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Mostly clear skies with some high clouds that moved in this afternoon. The temperatures were quite warm today, at 9:30 this morning it was already close to 40 degrees and the winds were generally calm even up along the ridge lines.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow conditions are hanging in there despite the warm temperatures, although the high sun angle is hitting more of the cold shady north facing slopes. Dry powder is a little harder to find, but wind sheltered low angle slopes seem to be the ticket. There was lots of damp snow today with the warming temperatures and some old tired wind slabs mixed in.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I was a bit surprised to have several collapses today traveling around and cracking within the recent snow. I like how Craig has talked about how the new snow is taking on some heat and starting to form and act like a slab. The slab is now possibly putting some stress on the very weak snow underneath from the recent storm snow, resulting in the cracking and collapsing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The cold light density snow that fell last week has undergone some changes with the wind and warming temps. Moving around a few days ago the new snow was light density and did not seem to change the avalanche conditions too much, but it feels like there is more of a slab right now. More snow and wind this weekend could create some interesting avalanche conditions.
Comments
A couple photos of some recent activity from the last few days as riders got out and tested some slopes.
As the recent snow acts more like a slab I was observing some stress cracks on some slopes and cracking and collapsing with very weak snow underneath.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate