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: West Desolation Ridge

Observation Date
1/13/2014
Observer Name
cam mackenzie
Region
Salt Lake » Big Cottonwood Canyon » Mill D North » West Desolation Ridge
Location Name or Route
short swing/powder park 3/west desolation ridge
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
moderate ridge to winds. low clouds throughout the day, LW radiation taking its toll on the new snow. light precip at times
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
extremely variable. in areas exposed to winds, new snow was gone down to the rime crust. some loading along ridges on east->NE facing zone.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
some slabby potential from the new snow. seems to be going down though
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
still the same week layers down low. give it a big enough trigger and its still potent
Snow Profile
Comments
although this obs is a day late, i figured it was worth submitting because of the buried rime crusts noticeable influence on the temp/vapor gradient
buried rime crust
some rime crust forming around 11:00 at about 8700ft, W facing slope
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates