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Observation: Huntsville Valley

Observation Date
2/23/2013
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
foot hills of Liberty to 6500 ft
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
dumping snow. 10 inches at 6000ft today and 7 yesterday, when I skied in the afternoon. The total at 10pm is 14 for today.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

The new snow is not too bad for trail breaking and better turning on low angle slopes than I thought.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
cracking and collapsing all around today
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

The new snow was quite sensitive. Today's snow and yesterdays broke out on all test slopes greater than 35 degrees. It seemed to be sliding on some surface hoar formed during the last clear spell. Very predictable on the protected slopes. See photo

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

Sensitive wind slab forming on the lee side of the ridges, again test slopes produced nice results of 6 inch wind slab