Observation: Snowbasin

Observation Date

12/8/2016

Observer Name

Pagnucco, Davis, Fletcher

Region

Ogden » Snowbasin

Location Name or Route

Snowbasin unopened terrain

Weather

Sky

Obscured

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

South

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Cold and windy.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Low

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

There was 2-3" of very low density snow on top of a variety of surfaces depending on the aspect and elevation.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

As the winds increased we noticed cracking and were able to trigger small wind slabs. In general, the weak layers in the snowpack are highly variable. The lower in elevation we went, the shallower and less cohesive the pack became. Depths ranged from 20 to 30". The weakest snow actually might be the light density surface snow as ECT showed no propagating results. Though there are areas where we found nothing but faceted snow in the entire pit.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

This is first only because it's what was happening today. The winds are continuing to increase and as snowfall increases we'll likely see the rapid development of wind slabs. These could potentially become buried under the new snow once precipitation rates increase.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Considerable

Observation: Snowbasin

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