Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/2/2019
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Pleasant day, weather-wise. Calm and few clouds. Moderate north winds late in the day but not moving snow. Temps in the upper teens/lower twenties.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure but no cohesive slab.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Need more water weight to activate this layer.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,000'
Slope Angle
24°
Comments
Traveled the north half of the compass from 7400 ft.-10,300 ft. looking for soft snow in sheltered terrain out of the wind zone. Snowpack is faceting but stable in the area traveled. No real red flags to speak of. Snowpack was well behaved, even in steeper terrain with no surface sluffing. Extended column test failed with hard effort but did propagate across the column. Will have to watch how much the pack weakens with the cold, clear weather before the next storm or wind event. Lots of evidence of wind effect in the upper elevation, open terrain. Low danger in the area traveled but in the wind zone it would be a different story.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low