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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon for
Saturday, December 16, 2017

In the wind zone at and above treeline, a MODERATE avalanche danger exists and human triggered avalanches are possible on steep wind drifted slopes, particularly those facing the north half of the compass and especially slopes that had old snow prior to this storm.

Lose a little elevation or simply switch aspect and you lose the hazard. Slopes facing the south half half of the compass along with terrain at mid and lower elevations, offer a LOW avalanche danger and human triggered slides are unlikely.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow

Clouds started streaming into the region late yesterday ahead of a weak storm system that delivered a trace to perhaps an inch of snow overnight. Temperatures are relatively warm, in the mid to upper 20's. Along the high ridges southerly winds are blowing 10-20 mph. Despite the lack of fresh snow, total snow depths are hanging tough, still hovering just around two feet.


Above are 24 hour temperatures and snow depth from Trial Lake and winds from Lofty Lake Peak. More remote Uinta weather stations are found here


You know the drill.... white from far, but far from white. Road rides and rock free, grassy meadows are the only game in town. (Scroggin photos)

Ted and Weston were out and about this week and their trip reports and insights are found here.

Recent Avalanches

No recent avalanche activity to report. However, Weston did find this stout, hard wind slab which cracked under his sled track on a steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slope. (Weston D photo)

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
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Location
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Description

I don't think today's storm is going to tip the scales too much because there's just not enough water or wind. However, the Uinta's are a big range and I bet if you went avalanche hunting you could stumble on a rogue wind drift or two. The good news is... these are spotty at best and confined to steep, shady, slopes along the leeward side of a high elevation ridgelines. The bad news... triggering a slide in shallow, low tide conditions greatly increases your chances of slamming into a season ending rock or stump.

Weston was in upper Weber Canyon this week and found a snowpack that's a bit complicated, but comfortable in its own skin for the moment. (Weston D photo)

Additional Information


There's some hope in sight. Not a big storm, but enough for a shallow coat of white paint. On and off snow showers slide through the region today and we might be able to squeak out 2"-4" before the storm moves to the east. Winds shift to the west and northwest and blow in the teens and low 20's along the high ridges. Temperatures hover in the 20's before crashing into single digit territory under clearing skies overnight. High pressure builds for Sunday through the early part of the upcoming week. It looks like a better shot of snow is on tap for midweek.

General Announcements

The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Sunday December 17, 2017.

If you're getting out and about, please let me know what you're seeing especially if you see or trigger and avalanche. I can be reached at [email protected] or 801-231-2170

It's also a good time to set up one of our very popular avalanche awareness classes. Reach out to me and I'll make it happen.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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