Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/16/2015
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mostly overcast skies. On and off snow showers with little accumulation. Light winds not moving snow to speak of. Temps in the single digits at 10K. Very cold on the exposed ridges in the wind.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Not sure how much new snow overnight but there seemed to be anywhere from about 6"-12" right side up, new storm snow. Trail breaking was difficult at times when you would sandbox through to the facets.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Red flags were minimal. Only one collapse today. Cracking was fairly common but not extreme. The poor snow pack structure exsists but there doesn't seem to be enough weight to get things rolling...yet.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Waiting for more wind and/or snow.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments

CT tests showed several weaknesses in the snowpack but it took medium to hard effort to fail. I was finding a pencil hard wind crust which I have not been seeing in my travels along the Mirror Lake Highway. I was getting very clean shears on small grain facets below this crust. Most CT's failed at the ground. No propagation on the one ECT I did.

Traveled from 7600'-10,200' on the north half of the compass. The biggest hazard of the day was getting back down to the canyon bottom without doing damage to gear or body. Still pretty thin, even up high but from about 9K down it's marginal at best.

Without more water weight and/or wind I think the danger will continue to be moderate.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate