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Observation: Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/17/2016
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold. Temps in the single digits at 9K
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Rain crust to about 8500'. Below 8K, damp snow to the ground below storm snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments

Kept out of the wind zone and traveled in sub 30° degree terrain. Easy and fun traveling on sled and skis. Stable conditions in the area we traveled. Upper elevation steeper terrain, especially in the wind zone was probably a different story. Old snow/new snow interface produced clean shears, although it took a hard effort to fail. Reflected in our tests was also a concern for deep slab instability; steep, north facing terrain would be the most likely place to find this kind of problem. Great storm!

Moderate danger where we traveled. Considerable in steeper, wind loaded terrain. Keep in mind the amount water weight we added to the snow pack in a short period of time coupled with the strong winds that accompanied the storm.

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