Observation Date
1/11/2017
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Upper Weber Canyon » Weber Canyon
Location Name or Route
Weber Canyon
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Snowing and blowing all day. Overall, moderate snowfall with short periods of heavy snowfall on and off during the day. Winds were strong from the W/WSW with very strong gusts. Winds were reaching all elevations and activly loading snow off the ridge lines. Temps in the mid to low twenties at 9K and mid to upper teens at 10K.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
11"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Hard saying how much new snow there was but based on the Chalk Creek #1 snow stake there was about 11" of new, another 5"-6" during the day with about 3 inches of water. Snow felt upside down in the wind effected areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The wind has been cranking and was again today. North through East facing terrain has been loading during the latest round of snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
The weak interfaces deeper in the snowpack are a concern. I was getting clean shears with easy to moderate effort on different layers in the top 2 or so feet but at about 90cm down (35") I got full propagation across the column on multiple Extended Column Tests.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
9,000'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
It looks like the weather will start to quiet down a little tomorrow and by the weeks end the snowpack should start setting out a bit, but with lots of wind and a lot of water, I think I'll stick with high danger again tomorrow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
