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Observation: Toledo Bowl

Observation Date
2/27/2023
Observer Name
Ambler, Marks
Region
Salt Lake » Little Cottonwood Canyon » Toledo Bowl
Location Name or Route
Toledo
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Moderate to strong winds were consistently transporting snow on our way up flagstaff this am. Triggered a small avalanche off flagstaff shoulder on a SSE aspect. Later, we saw another wind slab triggered by the party ahead of us into main days, NE aspect. Later in the day we noted quickly growing North leaning cornices on top of Toledo bowl. Precip and winds seemed to pick up in the PM
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The New snow was mostly light and fluffy and fun to ride however it was moving quickly. Plenty of places near ridges scoured and lee slopes deeply loaded. I dug down to the new old interface on N @9200' and found rounding nsf gaining strength.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Off the ridges, winds were still transporting snow but the direction was more sporadic. Ridgeline winds were S-W. Cornices were growing, leaning and sensitive.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Not much action in the new snow not affected by wind. Plenty of wind slab action.
Comments
Pictured below is the wind slab into main days
Pictured below is the slide off flagstaff shoulder, below that is a shooting crack.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates