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: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/4/2013
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Blue sky and few clouds early in the day gave way to scattered to broken cloud cover. Winds from the NW early shifting to W winds late in the day with wind speeds also increasing. Light snowfall but little accumulation. Ambient temps in the single digits. Cold.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

8"-14" new storm snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind was transporting snow on the high ridges later in the day.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments

Cracking and collapsing were relatively common today.

Some rime on the ridge.

Traveled from 7400-10,200, north half of the compass.

Marginal coverage for the terrain traveled today, especially below 8500 ft.

Wind loading will be something to keep in mind. There's plenty of snow available for transport and the wind began moving snow later in the day from NW an W winds.

Snow pit tests failed with moderate force but exhibited a propensity to propagate a clean shear. Tests failed on the new snow/old snow interface on small grained facets.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable