Observation: Skyline

Observation Date

11/30/2012

Observer Name

Darce Trotter/ Steve Cote

Region

Skyline

Location Name or Route

Big Drift and GE Hill

Weather

Sky

Scattered

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

much clearer on the Wasatch Plateau compared to what I saw hanging over Timpanogos this morning, temps near freezing with moderate SW winds in the 20's with gusts into the 30's, no snow left to blow around, even with low angle of sun southern aspects have burned off to brown and things are dry below 8000'.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

no new snow, last weeks storm of graupel and mixed crystals is now faceting and a wind/sun crust tops a lot of it and varies between zipper to an inch, but setup is much the same on snow that exists (northern aspects). All the grim news is not the whole story, we did find good loud powder on lower angle slopes that was fast and supportable, you just have to dodge the weeds. we got in some good skiing considering conditions.

Red Flags

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

not getting better, upper layer is faceting and getting weaker while lower layer is firming up.

Avalanche Problem #1

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

no hazard now except contact with terra firma, but likely will be active if next storm materializes. lower 12" is stronger this week and will provide a good bed surface for failing layer above it.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem #2 Comments

no failures on ECT but would crack through the stronger lower layer at the width of the shovel, no propagation noted, lower layer at the ground is stronger this week, and little depth hoar at ground interface, would pull up the dirt when we pryed it out.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

9,200'

Slope Angle

32°