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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/12/2016
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon * Forks of the Weber
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winds were generally moderate but gusts were in the strong catagory. Temps in the low 20's at 9K.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Red Flags Comments
Lots of cracking and collapsing in the area traveled. Winds were blowing at all elevations but winds were really moving snow off of the high ridges and loading NE facing slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Based on our pit tests failing at the ground.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,100'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments

Stability tests were failing with medium effort right at the ground in our tests. We could also identify another weak interface about 32cm (12") down. This layer took more effort to fail and failures were not planar or energetic.

Winds moving snow off the ridge of Notch Mountain with some crowns barely visible on the NE face.

Considerable danger in the wind zone, moderate otherwise.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable