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Observation: Willows

Observation Date
1/3/2025
Observer Name
W. Shirey
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Willows
Location Name or Route
Willow Heights
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
I started up late today around 1:00. It was very warm. The storm was beginning to move in with some pretty strong gusts on the PC Ridgeline.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Polar aspects are holding on to some pretty great riding conditions while the solars are damp or beginning to get crusty. On the ridgeline, there was quite a bit of snow being transported by the westerly winds. I found wind board and nice creamy turns on east aspects of the ridgeline.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Watch out for rising danger with the additional weight of Saturday's storm.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates