Observation Date
2/25/2019
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Clouds early in the day made way for mostly sunny skies by day's end. Strong south winds with gusts in the 40's stripping windward slopes and loading the leeward slopes. Mild temps today relative to what we've been experiencing lately with 9K temps in the mid to upper 20's and 10K temps in the mid to upper teens.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Extensive wind damage over the last 24 hours from the relentless south winds. Winds reaching all elevation, funneling through terrain features, cross loading slopes, and even moving snow upslope. Low elevation, solar aspects took on heat today and will probably be crusted over in the morning. Wind in the mid to upper elevations probably kept the snow surface cool enough not to get damp but that's a moot point considering the damage it created.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Even though the winds have been having their way with the soft snow, the persistent weaknesses in the snowpack are still the scariest problem we're having to deal with. The snowpack structure is still suspect and the consequences of triggering a slide on these deep layers are catastrophic. Wind slabs and cornice fall can easily trigger or step down to these deep weaknesses if released as seen by recent activity.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Lots of snow moving today but, generally, wind slabs were easily identified and avoided or easily ski cut. With continued winds, slabs should become larger and more connected.
Comments
Wind was the big player today. Tomorrow, look out for wind slabs at all elevations, especially mid to upper elevations. Will the wind move enough snow to tip the balance on some slopes? Or just leave them teetering on the edge, just waiting for some kind of trigger?
Increasing danger on wind loaded slopes at all elevations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
