Obs-Snow Profile: Uintas 12/20/2011

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

12/20/2011

Location or Route:

Upper Whitney Basin, Double Hill

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

Northeast

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

A chilly start this morning, but nice mild weather has the afternoon developed. While on top of Windy Peak working on the weather station, the moderate north/east wind was enough to make things darn chilly. Did not observe a lot of wind transport up high, many upper elevation areas have been really worked over by the winds.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Many areas out of the wind had beautiful sparkling faceted loose snow which provided little to no traction for the snow machine. Not too many riders trying their luck on anything very steep as the coverage and supportability is fair to poor.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

The majority of the places I dug around had very little to no body or support to the snow pack. Every so often there were areas where closer to the ground the snow offered a bit of supportability, but stiil mostly a weak unconsolidated structure.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Loose Snow/Sluffing

Probability:

Low

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

A little bit of new snow and some wind with the approaching storm might get things going? I would anticipate that the surface snow will be sensitive with a little load on top?

Elevation:

9500'

Aspect:

North

Slope Angle:

Unknown