Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Dog Leg Trees

Observation Date
1/27/2017
Observer Name
Pagnucco, Ward
Region
Logan » Providence Canyon » Dog Leg Trees
Location Name or Route
Dog Leg Trees
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold wind at times, seemed to let up in the afternoon. Transport visible on high exposed terrain and highest ridgelines.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Great turning conditions -settled storm snow with 8-12" of super light density snow on top. Sizable surface hoar already developing.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure is an overstatement as I only found a few minor density changes within the new snow. No obvious buried surface hoar in this area though I did confirm that an avalanche down canyon on a lower elevation WNW facing slope from Thursday did fail on buried SH. There is a tremendous amount of new snow in Providence Canyon and Logan Peak area. Sledders were starting to test obviously loaded slopes with no failures.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

I dug around at mid and higher elevations W and N and found no evidence of buried SH. I did find it though at lower elevations, specifically on W/N facing slopes.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Saw a few Size 1 wet loose slides on S facing slopes at mid and lower elevations. The sun angle is increasing enough that even with cold air temps, direct sun is enough to destabilize.

Comments

Photo 1 - Loose dry in morning (pic) then loose wet avalanche activity on S facing mid/low elevation slopes.

Photo 2 - Thursday's avalanche (at mine dump in Providence Canyon) weak layer - buried SH.

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