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Observation: West Monitor

Observation Date
1/26/2025
Observer Name
Michael V
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors » West Monitor
Location Name or Route
West Monitor Sneak
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Obvious signs of wind during the storm last night. Observed areas with snow loading and scouring.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Dug a pit on a NE aspect at around 9800ft. Observed 30cm of weak grain facets 112cm down from the top of the snow pack. PWL will be difficult to trigger being so far down but if triggered will be deadly. This layer needs more time to heal and may do so during this weeks expected warm temperatures.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,800'
Comments
Started at 9am today to observe and ski areas near Willow Peak. On wind sheltered mid elevations observed about 3 inches of snow on top of a 1 inch thick sun crust. In areas without protection from the wind, the new snow either left an icy bed surface or pockets of wind drifted snow. Dug a pit on West Monitor Sneak to see if the PWL is healing, however the snow crystals still need more time to become fully rounded.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
Snow Pilot URL
https://snowpilot.org/node/70843