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Observation: Powder Mountain Backcountry

Observation Date
3/1/2013
Observer Name
orum/kuhnly
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Wolf Creek Cyn.
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Overcast with fog. RH 100%. Max temp 30.6F at 8900' and 33F at 8250". Wind was NNW 10-18 mph and decreased in the afternoon making it very muggy on the uptrack. Greenhouse effect in full force. Rapid warming with a rime crust formation on all aspects 1/8" to 1/4".
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Becoming more damp as the day wore on. Below the top 20 cm of damp snow there was loose facets making for some punchy riding conditions.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
High RH ECTP21Q1 at 60 cm West 8770'. CTM13Q3 on depth hoar just above ground West 8600'. Hand pits showing easy to moderate pulls with the damp snow coming off. Also had two ECTX's in the same area so choose your terrain wisely. Slab building over facets. Some roller balls forming.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

If it doesn't get cold tonight and the sun comes out tomorrow I expect rapid warming and some push-alanches and maybe reactivating some of those loose facets. Picture of facets below.