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Observation Date
12/21/2012
Observer Name
Paradis
Region
Salt Lake
Location Name or Route
White Pine
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Strong winds were transporting snow with large plumes visible from the valley.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
High winds caused extensive damage to snow in open areas. In some cases the wind crust was supportable but it was highly variable. The snow was still soft only in protected treed areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
High winds were transporting snow and likely building wind slabs. Crossloading was also an issue. This wind slab is capping low density snow from earlier in the week. In this location the crust/grauple/facet combination is now buried by 130 cms of snow so the poor structure is less of a factor here.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Some cracking of the wind slab was visible while skiing in open areas. Around tree line the wind slab was not particularly thick (~5cms) but I imagine this is more an issue near ridge lines.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
35°
Comments
As has been noted in the forecast, the snow at our pit in a deeper snow area shows good strength. It was pretty difficult to produce results.
Coordinates