Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
3/16/2016
Observer Name
Kory
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin Hells/Coldwater
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
We were in the Ping Pong ball in the snowbasin area today. I was unable to really move around on the ridges becuase of this. There was also some riming that occured above 8500 feet.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

New snow was anywhere from 4-8 in deep. It was really hard to tell what the storm total was at upper elevation with so much movement of the new snow with the wind.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

I was unable to find any reactive wind slabs in the Ogden mountains today. Nothing really seemed to be happening and if you were able to get something to move it was in a very isolated area and very small at a max depth of 5-6" deep.

Comments

Really not a lot to note today from traveling around the North end of Snowbasin. I tried to get out on the south end but visibility was not so good. Skiing around It seemed like the new snow was bonding well with the old snow surface and I was unable to get anything to move under the melt freeze crust from last week. I did see in some quick hand shears the new snow sliding away from the old snow surface but I was not seeing any propagation in other tests or just skiing around.

Photo 1: Excellent Visibility today!!

Photo 2. Looking into Coldwater and Taylor canyon.

With better visibility today traveling and observing new wind drifts will be much easier today. My worry for avalanche problems today is Wet Loose with new snow and potential sun and ambient temps.

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