Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
2/16/2019
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
East
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
Wow what a storm. Up to 16 inches of blower light powder. My snow pit produced some disappointing results with 2 failures both propagating across the entire column on persistent weak layers. On a positive note the shear strength is high meaning even though the snow pack collapsed and propagated it was unable to slide off the block and had high resistance with the shovel. I spent all day on east aspects and didn't feel the heat but on my way down the south a ran into a zipper crust from the days heat.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable