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Observation: Hayden

Observation Date
4/13/2024
Observer Name
Paradis / Brackelsberg
Region
Uintas » Hayden
Location Name or Route
Hayden
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Nice spring day to be outside. Sunny. Winds were variable but overall not bad.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Generally good cover, although there are a few bare spots forming on the road past the winter gate.
Refreeze over night at high elevation (10k and above) provided supportable travel. At lower elevations, refreeze was more marginal and maybe only a couple inches deep.
Southeast was a little overcooked by noon, but other aspects stayed supportable for skiing until the afternoon.
Almost all snow has transitioned to spring melt-freeze snow, with the only excption of a minor amount of more winter like snow north facing at above 11,500.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
Last weekend's snow went through an extensive avalanche cycle with warming temperatures (see photos below). In addition to old wet debris, snow below rocky areas also had developed some large pinwheels from warming. One was at least 4' tall.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
As is typical in the spring, warming was very aspect dependent. South/south east aspects warmed quickly, while west facing stayed a little more firm later in the day.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate