Observation Date
1/28/2021
Observer Name
Staples & Davis
Region
Ogden » Monte Cristo » Whiskey Hill
Location Name or Route
Whiskey Hill - Monte Cristo Area
Comments
Lots of wind loading today and there has been plenty of new snow for south winds to transport. The weakest layer in the snowpack seemed to be a thin layer of near-surface facets just under a thin crust just under the new snow. Trent and I found the same layer above Bountiful. You can see this layer just under the new snow in the photo below. You can see it propagate a crack in an extended column test after 4 light taps (ECTP4) in the video below. Also, the upper 4-6 inches of snow would consistently break but this is likely a very short lived weakness. The entire bottom half of the snowpack (at least) is weak, faceted snow that will be a problem for a long time.
We did trigger some collapses and shooting cracks. A photo below shows a short one. One of the longest in a wind loaded area was about 40 feet long.


Video
Photo below showing how the upper 4-6 inches of new snow would crack but this is a short lived weakness.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates