UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Smith-Moorehouse

Observation Date
1/15/2019
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Smith-Moorehouse
Location Name or Route
Smith and Morehouse Environs
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Mostly cloudy skies with a few on and off snow flurries not adding up to anything. Light to moderate SSE winds. Temps in the upper teens and lower twenties at 10K.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface hoar at lower elevations. Surface and near surface faceting most everywhere else.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Increasing danger with more snow and wind but there was no new snow today and we were sheltered from any wind loading so I went with the danger trending the same.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Wasn't a problem where we were but something to look out for if you are traveling in the wind zone.
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
36°
Comments
Since I've been avoiding it, I wanted to take a look at the snowpack on east facing terrain before the next series of weather disturbances . I found a slightly thinner pack comprised of mostly weak, fist hard, faceted snow. CT's failed with moderate effort on small grain facets under the early January snow. ECTN on the same interface with moderate effort to fail. I was a little surprised to not have failures deeper in the pack, even pounding on the shovel on pit tests. The snowpack was relaxed and lacking energy. New snow and wind will certainly change this so we can only wait and see how much water we get out of the Thursday/Friday storm.
Today was the first day lower elevation snow on the north half of the compass was damp by days end.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate