Observation: Uintas 11/18/2011

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

11/18/2011

Location or Route:

Bald Mt.

Weather

Sky:

Obscured

Precipitation:

Moderate Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

A winter like day on Bald Mt. pass with blowing and drifting snow. As of early this afternoon there was 1-2" of new snow.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

The moderate to strong winds were getting into most of the terrain in the upper elevations.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Red Flag Comments:

Even with a lack of good snow coverage the winds were finding enough snow to create shallow and somewhat sensitive wind drifts in the wind exposed areas.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

The two snow pits I dug on the pass had mostly unstable snow conditions. The stability tests I performed had stronger snow over weaker snow which is a bad set-up. The early season snow near the ground has developed into weak faceted snow and with stronger snow on top of this weak layer ustable snow conditions exsist. These conditions are mostly found on slopes that face the north half of the compass.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Secondary Concern Comments:

The winds today were blowing moderatley hard from the southwest, creating fresh wind drifts and adding more weight to our already weak snowpack.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Even at the upper elevations like Bald Mt. pass the snow coverage is still marginal.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

The snow stability tests that I did near Bald Mt. show unstable snow conditions. The photo is showing how a isolated column of snow propagates a fracture in the weak layer of snow near the ground after tapping on the shovel resting on top of the column.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

Highway 150 was still passable this afternoon, but with the approaching storm road conditions may become more difficult.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

Considerable