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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Wednesday morning, December 27, 2023
Looking for generally LOW avalanche danger? Well then... I think the western Uinta's, where human triggered avalanches are unlikely, is a good fit for you today. And though a few shallow, stiff wind drifts are found near the high ridges, you'd really have to go out of your way to get into trouble today.
Remember... it's still low tide and there's a whole 'lotta reef out there. Rock and stump tagging conditions are a significant hazard so you'll wanna throttle it down a titch 'til the snowpack matures a bit more.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Nowcast- Through high, thin clouds, a setting Cold Moon cast a beautiful glow over our mountains at o'dark thirty this morning. Temperatures are slightly inverted with the mercury registering in the teens at the trailheads and low 20's along the ridges. Winds mellowed somewhat overnight and blow from the north in the teens and low 20's near the high peaks.
Forecast- A glorious day is on tap with mostly sunny skies, light winds, and high temperatures climbing into the low 30's. Overnight lows dip into the teens.
Futurecast- A very weak system bumps through the region Thursday afternoon delivering a few snow flurries. A few more minor impulses graze by over the weekend and into early next week, but don't get too excited... these look like meager snow producers at best.
Not much has changed since this snowpit image was captured at Gold Hill last week on a NW facing slope at 9800 ft.
Generally there's about two feet of snow in the Uinta's although you can find a few places at upper elevations with closer to three feet. There are three basic layers in the snowpack seen in the photo above with a few inches on top from Saturday's storm.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches have been reported in the Uintas. There have been just a few small wind slabs triggered by ski patrols in the Wasatch.
Trip reports and the latest observations are found HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A few inches of new snow from Saturday, conspired with recent winds, forming fresh drifts on the leeward side of ridges and terrain features like chutes and gullies. Over the weekend, I found the new, yet rather un-reactive drifts on a quick trip for some turns at Wolf Creek Pass.
Yesterday, Ted found similar conditions in Upper Whitney Basin. Ted noted.... "No red flags today where I traveled, but possibly a shallow wind drift that might still be a little reactive to a rider if you are up along the higher ridge lines. Conditions felt mostly stable and in a holding pattern till the weather changes."
So, lose some elevation... you lose the wind, you lose the problem, and get great shallow pow along the way... not a bad deal, huh?
Additional Information
Craig upgraded the Uinta weather station network this summer and all that real-time info is found HERE. Simply click on "western Uinta" tab and then "weather stations" tab.
We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. So... if you see something, say something. You can reach me directly at [email protected] or 801-231-2170.
Also, if you're looking for more avy education opportunities for yourself, your crew, or your club please don't hesitate to reach out to me and we'll find a presentation, class, or clinic for ya!
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
Issued at 0400 on Wednesday, December 27th this forecast will be updated by 0700 Thursday, December 28th, 2023.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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