Observation: Wolf Creek 12/25/2011

Observer Name:

Brandon Everett, Craig Kuhnly, Shane Erisoty

Region:

Ogden
Wolf Creek

Observation Date:

12/25/2011

Location or Route:

Ogden Area Mountains/Wolf Creek and Ogden River Drainages

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

Northeast

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Inversion was very evident with valley temps around 32f and mtns around 40f

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Initial Metamorphism has begun with top layer of new snow, turning new snow from rounds to mixed forms with some near surface facets 1.5mm to 2mm in size.

Red Flags

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

Only red flag evident was the localized collapsing and cracking ahead of ski tips.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

None

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

Northeast

Northwest

Elevation:

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Based upon expected weather, same trend...expect to watch this layer for the future northwest to northeast aspects at multiple elevations

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

The real find in this situation was the buried surface hoar varying in size from 4mm to 8mm, standing vertical in the snow-pack and 2.5 cm thick...Note! bottom 1.5cm had metamorphizied in to facets...it was pretty apparent that last storm that came in pretty quiet and preserved it in many different areas...

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Continued faceting is found under the buried SH layer and in some areas mixed structure was found 3cm thick! in one area enough to do a shovel tilt test with the SH Layer failing at ST-1...but more likely than not areas of bottomless facets were found....

Near the ground level a varying amount of cohesion among the snow was found not enough to provide a interface for a avalanche to travel on but more like a layer that should continue to be a persistent weak layer for more loading.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

I think the pictures tell the story but here is a profile.... Just wish I was teaching a class right now... its finding things like this that make good things to talk about...

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate