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 NEW - Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
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
2/11/2014
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
Mostly overcast but spotty broken skies thrown in. Light snowfall with about 1" accumualation by end of the day. Winds light to moderate from the NW transporting snow at times along the high ridges.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

About 12"-18" of settled new storm snow in the areas traveled with an inch new during the day. Supportable and fast sliding. More supportable and consistent than the snow on Sunday.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Not a lot of cracking and collapsing today. The new storm snow seems to have settled out and I am was finding 12"-18" of settled new storm snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Potential for large, deep and scary avalanches is considerable to high depending on terrain. Same to increasing danger if more snow/water weight and wind get involved.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments

Visibility was again limited but we did see a few signs of a natural cycle. Below are avalanches on both east and west facing slopes.

Traveled from 7600-10,200, north half of the compass, slope angles to 32°

The one thing I came away with today was how long and well connected cracks and crowns were on easterly aspects. We saw cracks and crowns in the snow that were hundreds of feet long. They seemed to be mostly in the new storm or down to the old snow surface BEFORE last weekends storm.

Snow pack structure seems to be strengthening but this last storm has the pack teetering on the edge of failure. It's hard not to err to the side of caution right now, especially on steep slopes on the north half of the compass. I am personally most suspect of slopes with an easterly component.

More snow and wind will not make matters any better.

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