Quick report
- Red Flags
- Recent Avalanches
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Wind loading and recent avalanches.</p>
Photos:
- small surface hoar
- wind loading and effect on many different aspects
- the avalanche: quite steep rollover
- the weakness just above (1-2cm) the thin mf crust
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Went to look at the <a href="https://utahavalanchecenter.org/avalanche/42043">skier triggered slid</a>e reported by Chester from 12/31 in lower Green Slope. His observation timely and quite good but wanted to see if there was anything unusual about the structure. Weakness: Found a very thin (2mm) mf crust from late last week with decomposing/fragmented grains and facets above and below this crust. (Don't necessarily think RR facets) . Crown roughly 8-12" deep. I mostly attribute this avalanche to being steep, wind loaded terrain over just "fair" structure. Avalanche is just below a very steep rollover. Tests were ECTN and CT3 or CTH depending on which part of the flank one investigated. (triggered/wind loaded was CTH). No collapsing or cracking or other signs of instability noted. </p> <p> Don't anticipate this to be a widespread problem. </p>
Variable snow conditions with excellent powder along with wind-effect. Snow remained cold and southeast/east should not have a zipper tomorrow. At least the widespread wind effect will somewhat slow the inevitable faceting at the snow surface somewhat. 2mm SH noted on many snow surfaces, even along ridgelines.