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: Big Meadow

Observation Date
1/16/2015
Observer Name
Darce Trotter/Steve Cote
Region
Skyline » Huntington Canyon » Left Fork Huntington Canyon » Lake Canyon » Big Meadow
Location Name or Route
Big Meadow
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
winds steady and building all day from SW ahead of next storm skirting by to the North, extensive wind damage in most higher elevation exposed terrain, temps moderate,
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

10 cm new at Miller Flat, total on stake is still 95 cm, wind has damaged most of the exposed terrain, still able to find very good settled creamy snow in sheltered N facing terrain. Crusts, some breakable, have formed on E through SW making condition on that aspect less than desirable. Old Wind slab and Cornices seem welded in place

Snow is very supportable now, even in boots, almost like 5" of cream over groomers. When we stepped off skis to dig pit, we only penetrated new snow. Machines now have access with only obstacles downed timber.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
With only 10cm of snow to work with, slabs are pockety and shallow, in the right terrain could be a problem but easy to indentify.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

scattered, NW through NE, pockety

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

many areas E facing are wind stripped, boney, and shallow, will be of concern when loaded with new snow

Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,800'
Slope Angle
21°
Comments

Higher terrain wind jacked

Many E facing starting zone still boney, lots of snowmobile traffic due to excellent access and supportable snow

Stronger overall pack than we have seen on Skyline in last couple of years

Video

ECT test , I apologize for the gravity defying example here, one day I will learn to hold the camera right or figure out how to change the video, but you get the idea of how strong the snow is getting in deeper areas.

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