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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Tuesday morning, December 1, 2020
The avalanche danger is generally LOW. The biggest threat is slamming into a season ending obstacle like a tree stump, barely hidden under the surface of our early season snowpack.
Low
Moderate
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High
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Special Announcements
Just 'cause you can see it from the car doesn't mean it's safe or you're good to go. Our front-line health care workers are maxed out. So, let's collectively think about our decisions and the consequences that may have on others.
The holiday season is right around the corner!! Looking for that special something for your partner? or yourself?
Well, we've got an easy shopping solution for you. Buy your gifts at our Pray for Snow online auction.
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Looking for ways to navigate through an unusual winter? Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation
Weather and Snow
Nowcast-
A weak cold front slid through the region early this morning, bringing a few traces of snow and ushering in a blast of cold air. Current temperatures register in the teens and single digits. Right around midnight, winds shifted from west to northwest, gusted into the 40's for a short time, but have been decreasing into the teens and 20's, where they clock in at 4:00 this morning.
Forecast-
Look for mostly sunny skies, decreasing winds, and high temperatures hovering in the low 20's. Overnight lows crash into the single digits. Winds start to increase slightly from the north tonight ahead of the next dry weather system slated for late Wednesday.
Futurecast-
Another fast moving cold front slides through the region late Wednesday afternoon or early evening, bringing cooler temperatures and a few scattered snow flakes. High pressure is slated to take hold for the remainder of the week with cool temperatures and sunny skies.
Ted was in the Gold Hill area over the weekend and found similar snow structure and coverage to what I saw near Wolf Creek on Friday. The snowpack is thin and travel limited to grassy slopes and road rides. Ted's insight and take on North Slope conditions is found here.
Looking for real-time temps, snow, or wind?
Click here and then on the "western Uinta" tab for western Uinta specific, weather station network.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanche activity to report.
To view trip reports and recent avalanche activity, simply click here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Snowpack structure from Wolf Creek Pass in the image above suggests a relatively homogenous pack... and that's good news considering the overall shallow nature of current snow depths through the range.
While the avalanche hazard is generally LOW, there's enough light density snow to blow around and there may be a shallow, fresh wind drift that reacts to our additional weight. Sure... you'd really have to go out of your way to find an avalanche today, but if you do trigger a slide the danger of slamming into a season ending obstacle is very real. So... look for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow, tone it down, take it slow and remember- it's a long season and you definitely don't want to instantly end it before things get going.
Additional Information
We are in the process of establishing a snow study site near Camp Steiner. The automated weather station delivers real-time snow fall, total snow depth, and current temperatures. This data fills in a big black hole of snow information near Mirror Lake. Last week, we visited the site to establish comms with Lofty Lake Peak and all is go to start hauling the gear into place this week. I'd like to give a big shout out to Sean and Jesse from the NWS along with Ted Scroggin, our main man in the Uinta's... the entire crew is pictured above.
I'll update this forecast by 7:00 AM tomorrow, Wednesday December 2nd.
Your observations are import, so please let me know what you're seeing... click HERE and contribute to this amazing community based program
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
General Announcements
If you see or trigger an avalanche or just wanna let me know what you're seeing you can reach me directly at 801-231-2170 or [email protected]
The information in this forecast is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content.
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