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Forecast for the Uintas Area Mountains

Craig Gordon
Issued by Craig Gordon on
Wednesday morning, December 19, 2018
In the wind zone, at and above treeline, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches are possible in steep, wind drifted terrain, especially on slopes facing the north half of the compass and particularly on those with an easterly component to their aspect. In addition, while becoming harder to initiate, human triggered avalanches breaking into deeper, buried weak layers is a distinct possibility, particularly on any steep slope harboring old snow near the ground. Remember- triggering a slide that breaks to old snow will immediately ruin your day.
Lose a little elevation or swing around to slopes with no old snow near the ground and the avalanche danger drops dramatically.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Check out the new free online avalanche course series developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. This is a great way to refresh your skills or prepare you for a Backcountry 101 or Level 1 class.
Weather and Snow
West and southwest winds were a little late to ramp up, but have been making up for lost time since midnight with hourly averages in the 40's and gusts in the 60's. Skies are mostly cloudy and temperatures in the mid to upper 20's.
Riding and turning conditions have gone from hero to zero. Recent winds have nuked our big, exposed terrain, transforming it into a lunar landscape. However, I bet if you lose some elevation and head to wind sheltered, mid elevation terrain, you'll be rewarded with patches of soft, creamy snow.
Above is recent hourly data from Trial Lake (9,945') along with wind data from Windy Peak (10,662'). To view more regional weather stations click here.
Plowing is done on Mirror Lake Highway, but Wolf Creek Pass is still open. The steep slopes surrounding the pass are getting hammered... ridden hard and without incident. However, just 'cause you can see your rig parked near Wolf Creek, doesn't mean the terrain you're choosing to ride is good to go. Remember- if you are getting out and about, be prepared for your own self rescue. Wear and know how to use an avalanche beacon, shovel, and probe.
Dan G was riding near the Mirror Lake Highway this weekend and reports a fairly deep pack (just over 100 cm.) and good stability... much different than last year at this time.
Meanwhile, in Smith-Moorehouse, Shaun and Jimmy found a homogenous yet structurally challenged snowpack. More on their travels here.
Recent Avalanches
No significant avalanche activity to report.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Winds are finding whatever loose snow there is left available to blow around and are forming dense pieces of wind drifted snow on the leeward side of upper elevation ridges and cross-load terrain features like chutes and gullies. Fortunately, warm temperatures are welding these stiff slabs in place. While I think they'll be pretty lifeless today, as always, don't let your guard down. Be on the lookout for and avoid any fat, rounded piece of snow especially if it sounds hollow like a drum.
Obviously the winds have been blowing at the upper elevations, stripping the snow and transporting it to the leeward side of ridges.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Recent snowpit stability tests combined with the lack of avalanche activity suggests the pack feels pretty comfortable in its own skin... and that's good news. However, the Uinta's are a big range and there's lots of variables when it comes to snowpack depth and strength. Remember- "persistent weak layers" in the snowpack are a headache because they remain problem children for long periods of time. And all we need to do is find one weakness, maybe around a bush or rock that we can't see buried underneath the snow, collapse the pack, and now we're getting worked by a moving piece of snow. The usual suspect terrain comes to mind- steep, rocky slopes with a shallow snowpack. So the way I'm avoiding this scenario is by simply avoiding the terrain where this setup exists.... mid and upper elevation, north facing slopes that harbor weak, early season snow near the ground.
On Sunday, Chad and Michael J found a suspect snowpack structure, yet their stability tests suggested the slab lacks energy. More details on their travels here.
Additional Information
A fast moving weather disturbance moves east across the region this morning producing clouds, wind, and a few traces of snow. West and southwest winds continue to crank into the 60's along the high ridges, and then switch to the northwest and diminish as the day wares on. High temperatures don't vary much from where we're at this morning. Skies clear late in the day and temperatures dip into the teens overnight. Strong high pressure is short-lived over the region for Thursday and is replaced by a series of weather disturbances moving east through the area beginning Friday. The graphic above sets the stage for the upcoming holiday.
General Announcements
The information in this advisory expires 24 hours after the date and time posted, but will be updated by 7:00 AM Thursday December 20th, 2018.
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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