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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
1/25/2018
Observer Name
Kikkert
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Strong southerly winds until about 430 pm when the front finally arrived. Many south and southwest facing slopes getting stripped of what snow they had. Snowing as of 5pm.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments

Still nice soft settled powder on sheltered shady slopes, but lots of wind damage everywhere else.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Obvious wind loading onto northerly facing slopes. Given the warm temps and high winds, slabs were becoming a bit stiff and hard to trigger with ski cuts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments

See comments above and separate avalanche submission. These will be hidden by new snow tomorrow and may catch people off guard.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #2 Comments

These still lurk out there on north through northeast. Was finding very poor structure today in some pits, and OK structure in others. However, recent avalanche activity shows that pits may have limited utility right now due to a very spatially variable snowpack. In particular have noticed slabs coming out lower on the slope than expected. Best practice is to give them some more time.

Photo shows the stripping of the southerly facing slopes by the strong southerly winds.

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