Observation Date
2/28/2013
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Mirror Lake Highway - Pass Lake area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
I was expecting SOME blue sky but got none. Sky was overcast, visibility was limited and the light was flat. Started snowing before noon and was still snowing lightly when we left at the end of the day. Light winds were blowing from the NW with moderate to strong gusts. Temps in the mid teens at 10, 000 ft.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
It snowed about an inch of light density snow during the day. Old snow surface was still soft on all aspects with an occasional melt/freeze crust on south faces. Even south facing slopes were holding soft snow. Ski penetration - 6". I noticed some riming on the snow that was falling.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind was the big red flag today. North winds have deposited a lot of snow on south aspects over the last few days and the winds were blowing snow around when we were out. Winds have scoured the high alpine peaks bare of snow on some aspects and have crossloaded many slopes.
Poor snow structure on south facing slopes and in general.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Strong winds from the north this week have loaded and cross loaded many south facing slopes. Trend should be toward decreasing danger if the wind dies down.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
South facing slopes where we were traveling showed poor structure with multiple weak layers. On south facing slopes the sun should heal those instabilities relatively quickly...as soon as the clouds give way. Same to decreasing danger
Comments
Pit on wind loaded south facing slope at 10,200 ft. CT11-15. No propagation on ECT. ECT reflects strong bridging but structure and CT tests were disconcerting especially coupled with the wind loading that was going on.
Hand pits on non wind loaded slopes showed multiple melt/freeze crusts sandwiching weak faceted snow.
Not a great photo but here is a quick hand pit on a south facing slope showing melt/freeze crust / facet sandwiches. Facets were very weak and loose.
Wind scoured NE shoulder of Bald Mt.
