Observation: Snowbasin Backcountry

Observation Date
3/9/2023
Observer Name
Kelly, Grainger
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin Backcountry
Location Name or Route
Sloth Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Surface winds were terrain driven and produced consistent flagging off the ridgelines throughout the day notably from the southwest. Winds aloft were consistent light-moderate northwesterly.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow on the polars was cold and dry. Snow on the sunny side took a bit of heat and had re-frozen by the time we exited in the late afternoon.
Photo of graupel and rimed crystals on the snow surface.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Photo of southwest winds flagging off the ridge above No Name. Higher winds on lookers right of photo were more northwesterly in direction.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southeast
Elevation
6,700'
Slope Angle
36°
Comments
Failure with propagation at 165cm from the ground on a layer of broken stellars above the crust. This failed at 31 and 21 with an extended column test. There were 2 layers of percolated water columns 142cm from the ground and 110 from the ground. Both of these layers of columns were surrounded by rounds and frozen solid. The layer at 142cm had a thin melt freeze water layer in some locations. It will be interesting to see how any rain effects the top layer of the snow at this elevation.
Second snow pit was on a north facing slope at 7250'. This slope was 40 degrees in steepness and had previous wind loading. Primary concern were very slight density changes in the top 12-16" of new snow that will most likely settle out over time. Snow surface was dry.
We went out with the intention of looking at snow in lower elevation zones that has the a good chance of being impacted by rain during tomorrow's storm. We wondered how things might react to direct rain on snow. There are many factors at play when it rains on snow for the first time. Areas of concern are lower elevation slopes where one can still find a weak layer on the southeasterly aspects above a crust. The riding on the north facing slopes was still soft and dry while the southerly aspects had taken a bit of sun and were a melt-freeze crust by our exit at 400pm.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates