2 Weeks Away- 32nd Annual Backcountry Benefit- Get Your Ticket Now!
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: Whitney Basin

Observation Date
1/20/2017
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Whitney Basin
Location Name or Route
Whitney Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A few hours of sun this morning then on again off again sunshine during the afternoon. Some light snowfall around mid day with only an inch accumulated.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Around 5~6" new snow from yesterday, not enough to cover the old hard tracks, but nice light density snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Some minor new wind slabs forming with the increase in southwest winds. These were not overly deep, but they are sitting on some preserved surface hoar and faceted snow making them a little sensitive.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
There has not been quite the load put on the surface hoar and faceted snow that is buried by just a few inches of new snow. It is quite easy to identify these layers now thinnly buried.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Fresh wind slabs should be more connected and reactive with an increase in winds overnight and the weak snow they are resting on.
Comments
Old news, but I was quite impressed with the aftermath of the last big natural avalanche cycle. This slide ran well out onto the flats bringing trees and large blocks of snow with it.
1. A cool and frosty day on the ridge lines, but little wind until mid day. 2. The light feathery surface hoar crystals are easy to identify just under the few new inches of snow.
Winds picked up early this afternoon from the southwest. The new snow was sluffing easily in steeper terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate