Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/23/2023
Observer Name
Torrey
Region
Uintas » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Windy Ridge
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
This morning, a quick burst of heavy snowfall became showery through the day with light west-northwest winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No signs of unstable snow were observed today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Plenty of fresh snow to drift onto a variety of snow surfaces. The old firm melt-freeze surfaces on solar aspects allowed snow to dribble down off the steepest slopes and pool into deeper pockets of snow. We found areas with ~12 inches of new snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The weakest snow is buried just beneath the new storm that fell today. The layer of facets near the base of the snowpack is still dry and weak although it has gained some strength over the last week. The sensitivity of this problem will go hand in hand with the wind-drifted snow problem. If the wind drifts snow onto the same aspects where the weak layer of facets exists near the ground then I would expect the likelihood of triggering an avalanche to increase.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
36°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates