Observation Date
1/29/2018
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Weather Comments
Warm sunny day in the mountains. Almost no noticable wind on ridgelines.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Wide variety of snow conditions. Rime crust observed was only about 1-1.5mm thick and still very skiable. Some near crust facets observe on top of rime crust. SH observed in specific isolated locations >10,000' low angle protected North. MF crust was not so friendly. Plenty of wind affected snow out there from supportable HS wind board to unsupportable wind board and crust. Most of the solar's had a MF crust by 3pm exit.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Some new and recent avalanches noted. High temps and rapid warming were very apparent today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Developed mid pack facets continue to be observed. Poor snow pack structure and buried PWL are a problem that is not going anywhere anytime soon. Could maybe see some natural activity with the warm temps.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Warm temperatures and sunny skies, probably going to see some wet action.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,200'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments
Recent (within 24hr) snowmobile triggered size 2 avalanche into terrain trap, probable remote trigger
Debris pile of above avalanche
Crown HS-AKru-R2-D2 150' wide by 250' run on NW at 10,150 from Saturday that failed on mid-pack facets (see above profile) another same event avalanche happened adjacent on slightly more WNW aspect. Another avalanche that started little ways below the top of the slope.
Same avalanche looking down the path
Same avalanche debris pile
Large 3-5mm depth hoar
"Scary" moderate, or high consequence tricky unpredictable moderate.
NOTE TO FORECASTERS pictures 4 and 5 are oriented sideways.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
