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Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
1/18/2019
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Clouds most of the day but started seeing some blue sky by sunset. Light snowfall adding up to maybe an inch or so. Winds from the WNW were moderate with strong gusts early in the day and slowly diminished as the day went on. Winds were moving snow. Temps in the low teens at 10K.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
15"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Considering how much new snow and water weight we got out of this storm I was a little surprised that I wasn't getting as much collapsing and cracking as I was anticipating. That being said, snowpack structure and pit test results affirmed the need to be cautious.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
With the addition of 2 inches of water and more than one persistant weak layer in the mid pack I'd say this is a pretty dangerous setup. A good time to step things back and wait for the snowpack to adjust to it's new load.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There are a couple of density changes in the new storm snow; dense, light, dense, light. I think these will settle out pretty quickly.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
Wind on the high ridges and rime in the trees above 9K.
Another nice base-building storm for the western Uintas. I didn't see any signs of recent avalanches but the visibilty wasn't great today. I have to assume that we went through a natural avalanche cycle with the amount of water weight and wind we got out of this storm.
Snowpit test results showed easy effort to fail, mostly in the new snow but I did get easy to moderate failures in the mid-pack as well. Extended column test propogated with medium hard effort and a clean shear.
Definitely time to dial things back while the snowpack adjusts to it's new load. Steering clear of steeper terrain and staying out of the wind zone is probably wise. It's all about terrain choices right now, travel wisely.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable