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Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
3/23/2020
Observer Name
Craig Gordon
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Gusty southwest winds first thing out of the gates tapered off midday.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Full range of snow conditions today. Cold, spongy snow on upper elevation north, but add just a little bit of sun and you've got hot pow on the menu. Mid and low elevation terrain took on heat, though cloud cover kept a lid on heating and helped snow remain supportable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
No shortage of cold snow up high and winds moving plenty of it around, especially along the high ridges.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Wind had no problem transporting snow and cross-loading terrain features like chutes and gullies (top image)... and whipping snow into shallow drifts that released naturally on sustained, steep slopes (bottom image)
With a robust storm on tap, I expect a rising avalanche danger the next couple of days.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate