Observation: Uintas 12/2/2011

Observer Name:

Ted Scroggin

Region:

Uintas

Observation Date:

12/02/2011

Location or Route:

Whitney Basin-Double Hill, Moffit Pk.

Weather

Sky:

Obscured

Precipitation:

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction:

Southwest

Wind Speed:

Light

Weather Comments:

Cold and clear this morning with warmer temperatures on the forest than the sub-zero readings in Evanston. Light snowfall developed this afternoon with 1" accumulation.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth:

New Snow Density:

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions:

Dense Loose

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Quite a variety of snow conditions out there today. The winds really worked-over a lot of the exposed terrain, but in the sheltered areas the riding was not too bad with dense loose powder like snow.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Red Flag Comments:

Some of the hard wind slabs were still cracking and collapsing under my weight as I moved over gentle terrain. Much of the exposed terrain does not have a lot of connected snow, but the possibility of triggering one of these wind slabs is still likely.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Wind Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

West

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Though difficult to access some of the higher terrain, there are areas where a person could trigger an isolated wind slab.

Secondary Concern

Secondary Concern:

Persistent Slabs

Probability:

Moderate

Aspect:

North

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Secondary Concern Comments:

Not much change in the snow pack right now. Stability scores are still in the moderate range.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

The big east wind event removed a lot of snow from the normally snow covered north aspects like here on Double Hill.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

The grassy meadows free of hazards still offer the best riding.

Observed Danger Rating:

Moderate

Forecast Danger Rating:

Moderate