Observation: Weber Canyon 11/22/2011

Observer Name:

Gordon, Scroggin, Meisenheimer

Region:

Weber Canyon
Uintas

Observation Date:

11/22/2011

Weather

Sky:

Broken

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Southerly winds loading steep, leeward terrain.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Dense Loose

Red Flags

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

Snowpack continues to collapse on upper elevation northerly facing slopes which have old October snow.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Manageable soft slabs are found on steep, shady, upper elevation slopes.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

Snowpack continues to remain suspect. While it'll be difficult to trigger a slide breaking into old snow, the consequences are severe.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Shallow, manageable soft slabs will be found on steep leeward slopes.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

The Uintas are thin with lots of anchors and obstacles still poking through the snow.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

This is the kind of terrain where we could trigger a deep avalanche that breaks into weak snow near the ground. Steep, north facing slopes that held old October snow. The consequences would not be good.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 4)

Joe points to a thin melt freeze crust that is helping to support the bulk of our current snowpack. Unfortunately, very weak snow underneath rests on top of a slick crust and this all adds up to an inherently dangerous snowpack. Right now we're in a holding pattern, but once it does start to snow or blow again the avalanche danger will get quite tricky.