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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
3/13/2019
Observer Name
Hughes / Kikkert
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold temps. snowing up to 1 inch an hour at times throughout the day. Light to moderate winds today transporting snow on the lee side of ridges and terrain features.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
9"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Still feeling the bottom in the morning but as it continued to snow throughout the day things were filling in nicely and skiing was greatly improving. I expect with a few more inches overnight and settlement the conditions tomorrow should be very enjoyable.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
NNW winds transporting snow on the lee side of exposed upper elevation ridges. Did note some cross-loading occurring mid-slope as well.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Plenty of low density snow available for transport. We noted drifting occurring along the upper elevations. We triggered two wind slabs ranging 6-12 inches in depth and 50-75ft wide on steep upper elevation lee terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
We were getting the new 6-9 inches of snow to slough in all terrain above 35 degrees. It was entraining quite a bit of new snow as it moved down the slope.
Comments
We probed in a few upper elevation north facing starting zones and were finding snow depths ranging from 240-320cm's. The Uintas are white!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate