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 Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
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: Upper Mill Creek

Observation Date
1/18/2015
Observer Name
Konigsberg
Region
Salt Lake » Mill Creek Canyon » Upper Mill Creek
Location Name or Route
Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm temps with moderate gusts at ridgetop. Minimal wind down off the ridges. Clouds decreased by mid-day and then increases again in the afternoon.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
All solar aspects became damp today but no signs of any wet loose instability besides some minor rollerballing. Aspects lee to southwest winds developed a 1-2" wind crust aka hard slab. The wind slab did not crack under skis and was welded in place. Snow transport overall was light due to lack of available snow for transport on windward aspects.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags in areas traveled.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Spent some time at elevations between 8500-9000ft looking for buried surface hoar in sheltered locations. Did not find any. Did not find any weak layers of note. Depth hoar near the ground is generally strong. In several quick pits dug could not identify any mid-pack weakness. In general, the snowpack in the area we traveled is strong with good structure. Very good stability.
Danger rating for area traveled is low. Rated at moderate below for potential mid-elevation surface hoar problem and ridgetop wind slabs.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate