Observation Date
3/31/2016
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Heavier precipition than expected, times of S3 snowfall rates. Snowed most of the day. Bad visability. Light to moderate snow transport. Winds have wrapped around the compass over the past three days with this storm.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
About 4"-8" of new snow since yesterday afternoon in mid to upper elevations. Seeing a rime crust under new snow below 10,000' most likely from yesterday afternoon evening.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Lots of snow transport during the day along with heavy squall showers throughout the day. Snow cracking on most aspects. Seeing senstive 10"-16" soft pockets come out with ski cuts. Found a 3-3.5' deep avalanche in a good fetch on SE aspect. Very senstive, popped out on ski cut, much deeper than expected. Initiated as a 12" soft windslab and instantly steped down an additional 2-2.5', about 175-200' wide. Ran about 200-300' and stopped as slope angle decreased. Size 1.5-2. Observed some natural avalanching on similar slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The wind has transported a lot of the new snow into some deep areas. Seeing soft sensitive wind slabs widespread on many aspects as the winds have wrapped around the compass during this storm cycle. Some pillows deeper than expected, up to 4' deep. Very sensitive throughout the day today.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Seeing push-alanches below about 9500' today. Roller balls and slow moving push-alanches on steeper lower elevation slopes. Running on slick MF crusts from before the storm. Dense heavy snow could push or carry a person into trees or over rocks if not prepared.
Comments
Be aware of sensitive wind slabs on all aspects. Don't be caught unaware, they are living in most aspects in mid to upper elevations. Most are of a manageable size, but deeper pockets are out there and are bordering on unmanageable in the wrong terrain. Photo below of one such deeper pocket.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
