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Observation Date
1/7/2014
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Scattered clouds early increasing to overcast by early afternoon. Winds picked up later in the day with moderate gusts from the WSW on the high ridges. Light snowfall with about 3/4" accumulation by the time I skied out. Mild temps in the mid to upper 20's above 9000 ft.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

A little less than an inch of new snow by the end of the day on top of the 6" from the weekend made for pretty decent skiing.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Obviously the poor snowpack structure has not changed. With winds picking up and plenty of snow available for transport, windloading will be in issue in the near future.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Winds will be forming new wind slabs on the lee of ridges.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The persistent slab is just waiting for more weight. The presence of a slab was spacially variable but in general I was finding a slab in most places and at most elevations in the area I traveled today. Trend will depend on new snow quantities and wind loading - same to increasing danger.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments

Traveled from 7800-10,000, north, north west to west, slope angels to 35°

My pit was off the ridge and semi-protected but still in the wind zone a bit. I think this was the deepest pit I've dug this year at 51". I was still finding a decent slab in my travels.

No propagation in ECT tests. Most sensitive weak layer was underneath the rime crust failing on small grains facets.

Will need to watch wind loading and new snow totals in the near future. Increasing danger if the wind continues to blow as there is plenty of snow available for transport.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate