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Observation: Upper Weber Canyon

Observation Date
12/19/2016
Observer Name
C Brown
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Upper Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very cold morning, but warmed up quickly. Fairly calm, very light wind observed at midelevations. Only a few clouds most of the day, became broken around 16:00 as some higher clouds moved in.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow has definitely settled some since the storm. The snow at mid-elevations was staying cold. Even the snow at lower elevations was holding up. Still great settled powder riding conditions in sheltered areas.

Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Didn't really find any wind slabs today, but I am almost certain they were living above where I was traveling today. I would think these are stabilizing and becoming more stubborn.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Observed a Q1 SP in a CT @ 9700 W below the most recent storm snow on what appeared to be NSF. This did not propagate in an ECT though. It seems as though in most places are pack is stabilizing and healing the buried weak layers. The lingering possibility of triggering a deep slab on steep, rocky, upper elevation north aspects will keep me out of these areas though.

Comments

Two profiles from today's travels. As noted on Friday, it seems as though the rain crust only made it up to about 8,700-8,800'. Around 8,700' it is only about 2-3mm tick and knife harness, while only a 200' lower is is about 1-2cm and 1F harness. It seems as though at the lower elevations it percolated through the snow somewhat to form this thicker, not as hard crust. The crust is remaining supportable for skiers.

All in all the snow seems to be pretty well behaved. There are still excellent riding conditions in areas that were not effected by the winds. Although the stability seems to be pretty good, don't throw all caution to the wind (4 skiers on the slope)!

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