Sign Up for the Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) on December 7th!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: North Creek - Abajo Mtns.

Observation Date
3/16/2024
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Abajos » North Creek - Abajo Mtns.
Location Name or Route
North Creek
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Hst ranged from 45-55cm (~3.0"SWE!!) and fell on a stout melt freeze crust on both NW and E aspects from 9,200 to 9,600'. Hs ranged from 120 to 150cm. East and SE wind had stripped this snow and loaded NW and W. Most test results were failing at this interface.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Poor structure still exists although weak temp. gradients and moist basal facets appear to be gaining strength. I observed several collapses both on skis and while on foot and assume that failures were probably occutring on the basal DH.
Also noticed some NSFs buried between two MFcrs, could be an issue with more loading, but for the time being, seems like the stout crust from last weeks warm temps is bridging above this potential weak layer.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates