Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Miller Bowl

Observation Date
12/9/2012
Observer Name
Pagnucco
Region
Logan
Location Name or Route
South Tony Grove - Miller's
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Crisp, bluebird-ish morning.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow amounts ranged as the wind moved the light density snow around a bit. Even where there was a foot of fresh coverage though, we were still able to feel the chunky, hard remains of last weeks melt-freeze occurrence. It was the first time this season that it has actually felt like winter up here.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
The only tiny issue today were very manageable soft sluffs. The snow only moved on the steepest part of the slope (40 degrees) and stopped moving as the angle decreased slightly. The snow was so light that you hardly noticed it washing around your feet. My only concern would be the small wind slabs created on Thursday that have now been buried or enhanced by the new snow. In more higher, more exposed or steeper terrain these could pop out and take someone for a surprise ride. From what we saw today in multiple pits there is really no prominent weak layer to speak of......yet.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
easy to manage on slopes less than 35 degrees
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
small ones might be hiding under the recent new snow
Comments
shallow, easy to manage soft sluffs were the only "issue" today for us.