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Observation: Snowbasin

Observation Date
12/8/2016
Observer Name
Pagnucco, Davis, Fletcher
Region
Ogden » Snowbasin
Location Name or Route
Snowbasin unopened terrain
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold and windy.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

There was 2-3" of very low density snow on top of a variety of surfaces depending on the aspect and elevation.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
As the winds increased we noticed cracking and were able to trigger small wind slabs. In general, the weak layers in the snowpack are highly variable. The lower in elevation we went, the shallower and less cohesive the pack became. Depths ranged from 20 to 30". The weakest snow actually might be the light density surface snow as ECT showed no propagating results. Though there are areas where we found nothing but faceted snow in the entire pit.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

This is first only because it's what was happening today. The winds are continuing to increase and as snowfall increases we'll likely see the rapid development of wind slabs. These could potentially become buried under the new snow once precipitation rates increase.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable