Observation: Whitney Basin

Observation Date

4/15/2016

Observer Name

Ted Scroggin

Region

Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin

Location Name or Route

Whitney Basin-Double Hill

Weather

Sky

Broken

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

North

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Cooler weather today with brisk winds from the north, periods of sun and snow showers during the afternoon.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

The storm did not quite deliever to the north slope as advertised. Just a few inches of medium density snow that put a lid on the damp soft conditions prior to the storm.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

All very minor red flags today, the north winds were blowing the new snow onto south aspects, but these very shallow wind slabs appeared to be bonding well to the old wet snow surface. I did notice some minor cracking within the new snow and along with the damp snowpack that would collapse under sleds and skis, this problem should be less with colder temperatures tonight.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

With periods of sun tomorrow the new snow should become loose and reactive with heating and human travel.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

Today's north winds and forecasted breezy conditions for tomorrow, a few wind slabs along southeast through south facing slopes could have some shallow but manageable wind drifts.

Comments

Today's weather was low clouds one minute, sunshine for a few minutes and snow showers with little to no new accumulation.

Just a few new inches as of this afternoon, the north slope did not recieve the higher amounts as advertised.

The new snow put a thin lid on the damp and soft snowpack. The riding today was a bit unnerving with supportable one minute and unsupportable where the bottom falls out from under your sled. Cooler temperatures tonight might allow a short period of good riding in the morning before the snowpack becomes too soft?

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Low

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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