Observation: Monitors

Observation Date
2/2/2025
Observer Name
Hardesty
Region
Salt Lake » Park City Ridgeline » Monitors
Location Name or Route
Monitors
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Brutal.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Nothing like wind to wreak havoc. Pockets of hard and soft slab abound; many windward exposed slopes scoured down to a crust. A thin rain/drizzle crust extends to the ridgetops.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
As has been described, two layers of PWL are of concern. The uppermost, buried 30cm deep in my travels along the PC ridge, was surprisingly tame; with ECTX on a clear line of new snow plus a touch of wind above last week's weak recrystallized snow. I wouldn't trust it; I am sure there were more than a few naturals in this layering the last 36 hours.



The other - significant - issue is this storm's loading to trigger avalanches in primarily repeater slopes - as we saw with South Monitor Sunday morning. Trigger unknown. Ridgetops do not harbor huge cornices...so perhaps this was a natural from the strong winds and water.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
As mentioned above, hard slabs now complement the soft slabs though none cracked out today with provocation.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates