Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/29/2019
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
24°
Comments
I dug on a NW upper elevation slope and was a little surprised to find 1.5 meters of snow. Other than our basal facets the snow pack is solid. My ECT failed propagating the entire column in one loading step on my 25 tap with sheer a quality of 2. I thought the snow pack was healing however my test proved otherwise. Although I had to tap 25 times the sheer quality was cleaner than all my previous failed tests so far this season. The basal facets continue to get larger with 4-6 mm facets now comprising most of the bottom 25 cm of snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate