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Observation: UFO Bowls

Observation Date
1/21/2015
Observer Name
Primomo
Region
Provo » American Fork » UFO Bowls
Location Name or Route
UFO Bowls
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cool temperatures, high relative humidity, and mid elevation stratus.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

The surface has weakened substantially over the past couple of days. Surface hoar growth has been widespread. Check out our new snow surface temperature data from the Bunnells Ridge weather station via wrh.noaa.gov or Mesowest. Right now its under the field name "Ground Temperature", but this may change to "Surface Temp" soon. Snow surface temperatures have been quite cold these past two days, and with a high Relative Humidity, has been ideal for Surface Hoar growth.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We came upon a (~2 day) old skier triggered windslab at the top of the skin track (ENE at 9600ft).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Some stout wind slabs still lurking out there, but the thinner ones are decomposing.

We then dropped into a NW facing couloir, only to be confronted by a thick, hard windslab mid-way down that spanned the slope. Ended up climbing back up and out of the couloir to avoid having to ski over it.

Comments

Photos:

1. Nice feathery SH.

2. Old windslab likely triggered by a skier on their way up (HS-ASu-R1-D2-O).

3. Surface hoar across slope of Bob's Knob.

4. Mid elevation stratus that resulted in rapid surface hoar growth rates, especially where these would bump up against the hills.

5. Debris pile from NE Chute Elk Pt (SS-N-R3-D3-I) during storm on 1/12.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low