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

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.

Observation: Powder Mountain Backcountry

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