Observation Date
1/8/2014
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Clouds were breaking up a bit at the end of the day as I was leaving the trailhead.
Light snowfall throughout most of the day with brief periods of moderate (S-1) snowfall.
Moderate winds from the NNW with strong gusts at times.
Temps were mild in the mid 20's above 9K.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
A little difficult to say how much new snow fell today due to the wind but I'd say about 4"-5" on top yesterday's 1" above 9K.
Another good day of skiing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Winds were forming cornices on the ridges and affecting lower elevation non-sheltered slopes as well.
I got a small amount of localized cracking on my ascent.
The poor snowpack structure hasn't gotten any better since yesterday.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Winds were definitely moving snow today and I imagine S, SE and E facing slopes off of open ridges will have shallow, sensitive drifts.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
Noticed a bit of rime on the trees.
Cornice building and natural cornice fall with no results.
Traveled from 7600-10,200 ft., north half of the compass, slope angles to 38°.
Weakest layer in snowpit tests was under the rime crust failing with moderate effort. Deeper facet layers only failed with hard whacks from the shoulder and just mushed out on the column. No result in ECT tests.
Still not enough new water weight to overload the weak layers in the snowpack. Maybe this weekend?
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
