Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains
Friday morning, March 3, 2017
At and above treeline in the wind zone, you'll find MODERATE avalanche danger. Human triggered avalanches are POSSIBLE on steep wind drifted slopes, especially those with an easterly component to their aspect.
Wind sheltered slopes in mid and lower elevations offer LOW avalanche danger.
Weather and Snow
Skies are clear, temperatures in the teens, and southwest winds are blowing 20-25 mph along the high peaks. Riding and turning conditions vary with aspect and elevation. Low and mid elevation sunny slopes developed a crust of varying thickness and are gonna take a big hit today. But gain a little elevation, swing around to the north half of the compass and you'll be rewarded with soft settled snow on a go anywhere kinda base.
Above... 24 hour data from Windy Peak and right next to it a very PHAT Trial Lake.
Real time wind, snow, and temperatures for the Uinta's are found here
The east side shuffle... it's about as white as the Uinta's get. Ted was in Millcreek yesterday, on the eastern side of the range, and found a deep snowpack. More on his travels, insights, and of course wisdom are found here.
Snowpack observations and trip reports are found here.
Recent Avalanches
Above, Ted found this couple day old wind slab on a steep, cross-loaded chute.
A full list of Uinta avalanche activity is found here.
Wind Drifted Snow
Description
The good news is... recent tests and snowpack observations reveal a strong snowpack that's comfortable in it's own skin. Most avalanches we've seen in the past few days are pockety and failing within Monday's storm snow. I'd say we're trending towards a more stable and predictable snowpack, but I don't think we've got the full on green light just yet. The Uinta's are a big place and I bet there's still a wind drift or two that'll react to our additional weight today. Confined to steep, leeward slopes in the wind zone, cross-loaded chutes, gullies, or bowl features are likely suspect terrain. Any avalanche triggered in terrain with these characteristics may be a little bigger than you bargained for. But wait... there's more good news. Lose a little elevation, you lose the problem, and you're rewarded with epic riding conditions.
This is how wind drifts and cornices form. Pretty easy to see by the image above that winds have been blowing right to left, stripping the windward slopes down to sage and loading the leeward slopes, forming a slab that'll be reactive to our additioanl weight.
Pictured above... a perfect example how wind can channel snow into terrain features and crossload chutes and gullies.
Cornice
Description
Corni... they're ridiculous this year, stretch for miles along the ridges, and are breaking back further than you might expect. You definitely want to give these unpredictable boxcar monsters the respect they deserve.
Additional Information
High pressure leads to sunny skies with temperatures warming into the 40's. Spoiler alert... southwest winds blow in the 30's and become increasingly strong this afternoon into Sunday. A cold front with a good shot of snow is expected late Sunday afternoon, bringing the next chance for snow through Monday night.
General Announcements
Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can call me directly at 801-231-2170, email [email protected]
The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM on Saturday March 4th.