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Observation: Powder Mountain Backcountry

Observation Date
12/5/2012
Observer Name
Brian Pollick
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Powder Mountain Backcountry
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
temps in the low 30s, overnight low of 32. Southwest winds for the last 24hrs between 20-30.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
4" new snow today for a total of 6" new since 12/3
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
experienced cracking and collapsing while crossing slopes and flats, snow fall rates of 1" per hour, we have a layer of fist facets that has been topped with a rain crust and dense new, full propagation on extended column tests
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
sustained winds 20-30 and dense fresh snow have created some sensitive but dense wind slabs over a rain crust and a presistent weak layer.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
dense snow and a rain crust are now topping a near surface faceted layer that formed prior to the 11/28 storm, just a question of how much weight it will be able to hold
Comments
natural cornice breaks and fracturing due to wind loading
ECTP9Q2@47, northerly aspect, 8900', snowpack structure of dense new snow and a decomposing rain crust topping a layer of fist facets
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