Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/19/2022
Observer Name
Mike J
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Lower Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,300'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
I got out today to see how our snowpack is shaping up now that it has had time to settle. It was a mixed bag today with quite a bit of breakable wind load, creamy powder on top of supportive wind slabs, grabby knee+ deep powder and even some melt-freeze. Surface faceting was minimal but present. Between the wind load and deep powder it’s not the best skiing right now, however, on the flip-side, our PWL is healing and for the first time my ECT required multiple taps to propagate across the entire column failing ECTN 23 RP Q3. Other than our PWL the snowpack looks really solid. That said, it’s still a live tree skiing or low angle <= 30 ° situation for me on any aspect because a 75 cm thick slab is un-manageable.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable