Observation: Uintas 1/17/2012

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

01/17/2012

Location or Route:

Whitney Basin-Double Hill

Weather

Sky:

Clear

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Moderate

Weather Comments:

Clear and cold with a chilly start this morning, -15F at the trailhead. Moderate winds kept the wind chill in the negative range.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Low

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

5" new around 10,000' with only a couple of inches at 8,000'. The stiff winds this afternoon were whipping the new snow into shallow and somewhat sensitive wind slabs. This may all be a moot point with the big change in weather forecasted starting tomorrow. It was good to be out today and feel the anticipation of a big change in the snow and avalanche conditions.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

The strong winds these last few days coupled with the new snow has formed some shallow and moderatley sensitive wind slabs along the exposed ridgelines. Cracking and collapsing within the new slab and the very weak underlying snow was common today.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Considerable

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Southeast

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

More Dangerous

Primary Concern Comments:

Today's issues will likely be a thing of the past with bigger concerns on the horizon with heavy snow and wind forecasted.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

The moderate to strong winds today were blowing the few inches of new snow into shallow wind slabs just off the exposed ridgelines.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Some 10-12" deep wind slabs were found along the more exposed terrain.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 3)

I did observe some natural activity on this east aspect of Double Hill. My guess is this small pocket may have released from strong winds over the weekend and overloaded the weak faceted snow?

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 4)

Strong and sustained southwest winds have created some shallow wind slabs on the northeast aspects. This one looked to be fairly recent.

Observed Danger Rating:

Considerable

Forecast Danger Rating:

High