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Observation: Lower Weber Drainage

Observation Date
12/3/2022
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas » Lower Weber Drainage
Location Name or Route
Lower Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,400'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
I got up into some bigger terrain for the first time this year. The S-SW winds hammered the ridgelines and we now have some sizable cornices on north facing terrain which isn’t typical for this time of year. Open terrain is loaded and firm. Wind sheltered terrain on all aspects was skier supportive and surfy. My sled was breaking into the old faceted snow but was still mostly grippy. My NW facing ECT failed ECTP 1 SP Q2 in 125 cm deep snow on our high and dry facets 40cm below the surface. After the failure I was able to easily pull the block off the column making it Sudden Planar (SP). In the second pic we can see some irregulars in the facets so I gave the test a Q2 sheer quality. I experienced several collapses throughout the day. I kept my distance from all steep north facing terrain today and instead kept it low angle and in and around trees.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable