Observation: Smith-Moorehouse

Observation Date
3/19/2018
Observer Name
Weston Deutschlander
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Smith-Moorehouse
Location Name or Route
smith moorehouse
Weather
Sky
Few
Weather Comments
Single digits in the morning with cold wind. Tshirt weather in the afternoon. Wind did pick up during the day, observed snow starting to get blown off the trees.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

New snow depth was dependent upon the aspect and how much the wind had gotten in there. The few places I checked seemed to have about 7-9" of settled new snow. Heating on S-W-E. Only true N held cold snow and held it down to around 7500. Incredible to see how much base was lost at 7600ft during the previous warm up. At upper elevations, ~9600ft, there was simultaneously more snow and less. Signs of wind loading a plenty, but more rocks were popping up.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Was a hot day out there and slopes were rapidly getting warmed. Previous signs of windloading were present.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Observed several loose wet on E facing around 9800ft.

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

It is still in the back of my mind. Where I did pull out my probe, a snow depth of 120cm was found. Deep, but could still tickle that layer in the right spot.

Comments

Loose wet on E facing around 9800ft

Loose wet that looks like it happened in the middle of the storm. Also appeared to have stepped down a bit and entrained more snow.

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