Quick report
- Aspect
- North
- Red Flags
- Heavy Snowfall, Wind Loading, Cracking, Poor Snowpack Structure
- Elevation
- 3109 m
- Slope Angle
- 31°
- Red Flags Comment
- <p>Snow totals during the week qualify as heavy snowfall, 2" or so of water weight. Wind loading in exposed areas, areas above treeline were obscured from view most of the day. Minor localized cracking, no propagation. Poor snowpack structure in upper elevation areas, basal facets are weak and loose.</p>
Photos below: basal facets and ECTN, after testing I broke the the column with full body weight, and I ma no lightweight! Note the consistent, strong mid-pack.
While filling in the snow pit with a ski push from above we observed some shear planes in the upper pack, minor and not reactive during ECT testing.
Overall I did not see any alarming today, I am still concerned with basal facets throughout SW Utah, I am am treating the snowpack as guilty until proven otherwise. Coming from the Wasatch, I am treating the snowpack in the Tushers and Brian Head areas as more of a continental type snowpack.
Overall a moderate danger with the potential for pockets of considerable in upper elevation wind loaded areas.
Many thanks to the Brian Head Ski Patrol for a great tour!
Forecast hazard based on worst case scenario, mostly moderate below treeline.
Snowpack
- Instability Comment
- <p>Wind slabs in exposed areas. Some drifting up to 2" deep.</p> <p>Moderate danger in areas traveled, I would expect pockets of considerable in areas above treeline.</p> <p>Weak basal facets underlie a strong mid-pack. Good bridging but we are not out of the water yet.</p> <p>Low to moderate probability but high consequence. ECTN it took full body weight to break the base of the column in an area with an HS of 140 cm.</p>
4" overnight, however Brian Head has received 20" or so this week, mostly in 4" impulses, not a bad way to go! Some dense drifted snow in exposed areas. Some minor wind crusts.
Some rimed snow and pellets during the day.