Observation Date
12/16/2015
Observer Name
Kory
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin » Strawberry
Location Name or Route
Stawberry area at snowbasin
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were Light to Moderate again in the Ogden mountains, some blowing snow but not a whole ton. Snowed all day which was not forcasted. The weather stations are now reading only 3 inches but we had 4 inches of 2% alta gold today by 3 pm. Wind was moving around low density snow but not at the rate you would expect.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The new snow is as light as it gets. The snow from Sunday Dec 13 storm is starting to settle creating a little more realiable base to ski on but also a little more cohesive slab.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Once again another big day of collapsing and cracking. Great propogation in the collapses. The colapasses today were on steeper terain than yesterday 20-25 degrees.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Without wind there is really no propagation propensity in the new snow. I think we need to have some wind or find wind loaded areas to have a slab over the weak layer. Increasing with overnight predicted winds
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments
Once again, not great visibility in upper elevation but no natural avalanches noted yet. Still lots of collapsing and good results on ECT. The treat is there. While skiing a 25 degree slope today I had a large collapse which made me look back. This was a great reminder that the problem is lurking out there ready to strike at the right trigger.
Photo 1: Todays ECT results were similar to yesterday. ECTP16 and 22. 20 cm up from the ground. The test was done on an east aspect today and the basel facets on the ground were still wet. Dry facets started at about 12 cm up from ground. Failure was on dry facets at 20 cm up from ground.
Photo 2: Not great viz Today but great skiing in low angle terrain.
Photo 3: All the Glory of the Low angle Loving!!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
