Obs-Snow Profile: South Tony Grove 2/3/2012

Observer Name:

Toby Weed

Region:

South Tony Grove
Tony Grove
Logan River
Logan

Observation Date:

02/03/2012

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

East

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

Cold and windy day, with lots of drifting and scouring noted....

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Deep Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Less Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Very deep and hard slab over fist-hard facets elevated a foot-and-a-half off the ground....

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

More Dangerous

Secondary Concern Comments:

I noticed a bit of cracking of very shallow wind slabs and couple-inch-deep wind-crusts.... Failing very easily on a thin weak layer that was on the snow surface earlier in the week. small nsf/SH small feathery and fine-grained faceted grains....

Elevation:

8600'

Aspect:

North

Northeast

Slope Angle:

snow_profile_location:

United States

41° 53' 11.5008" N, 111° 38' 34.8828" W

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

200 cm deep pit shows the fist-hard facets or depth hoar under a stout 4'+ deep P-!F slab layer. Snow is too deep in this area to dig many pits, and the slab is too strong to fail nicely in tests.... The slab is thick and hard enough to bridge the still surprisingly weak snow below it... It would be difficult for a person to trigger an avalanche in this situation, but more possible in areas where the slab is thinner.... Problem is that if you did trigger one, it would be very large and dangerous.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

There were lots of new drifts on the lee sides of ridge-lines, today the other side of the cornices and drifts that occur with the normal or prevailing winds. The drifts built up in some unusual locations and on shallow weak snow in places... This one failed with thin shooting cracks when I stepped on It.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

The crown from a avalanche that occurred during the active natural cycle on around 1-21-2012 in the east entrance of Miller Bowl

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable

Snow Profile Location

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