Observation Date
2/20/2016
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin- Moffit Peak, Double Hill
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly cloudy this morning with some brief heavy snow showers and partly cloudy in the afternoon. The winds did seem to back-off some in the lower elevations, but continued to blow steady all day on the higher ridges and peaks from the west and southwest.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
A variety of surface conditions with wind scoured firm snow, some medium density powder in sheltered areas mixed in with lots of graupel from the strong convective winds.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
There has been steady winds the last few days and continued wind loading throughout today, but not much wind slab activity that I observed. Some minor cracking in the fresh drifts localized around your skis and sled, but these seemed very manageable. I traveled around the Whitney Basin watching other riders get onto some steeper terrain, but not much going on. I wonder though if these steady slower winds will eventually build up a slab on the north through east aspects that will be sensitive to the weight of a person.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Plenty of wind moving snow around on the high ridges and peaks and now with the winds slowing down some, the wind slabs might become more uniform and connected.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Normal caution in the shallow snowpack areas that may still have weak sugary near the bottom of the snowpack.
Comments
The groomers are having a hard time keeping the trails open with the strong steady winds this week.
On this small test slope I was only getting some minor cracking ahead of my skis. These mostly shallow wind slabs were 8-10" deep and were quite manageable.
Here on Double Hill the winds have been very steady the last few days and I would suspect the wind slab is getting a little more connected and deeper and quite possibly more sensitive to the weight of a person.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
