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Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/20/2013
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Nice day in the mountains. Temps in the mid to lower teens above 9K and very little wind. On and off instability showers with no accumulation. Sun in and out all day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

4"-9" of new snow depending on elevation. New snow was right side up with warm dense snow falling first ending up with very low density, cold snow on top. The snow surface were sparkly stellar dendrites stacked up like goose down; blower. Although right side up, the new snow fell on the weak, fist hard facets and the skiing was "punchy" at times, as dense snow fell first during the storm.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Pretty decent visibility today but I did not see any signs of new avalanches, even with binoculars. I experienced a fair amount of audible collapses but no cracking in the new snow. Very poor snow pack structure.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
32°
Comments

I traveled the north half of the compass from 7400-10,200 ft. Slope angles to 32°.

Granted my ECT expressed no propagation and there were no visible signs of avalanches but the snow pack structure is very poor and is just waiting for additional weight or a trigger. Additional snow tonight and tomorrow may tip the scale?

On the north half of the compass low and mid elevations are still thin and the pack is very weak at those elevations. South aspects melted off quite a bit before the storm and below 8500 ft there is little to no snow.

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