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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/14/2020
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Hwy 150, Ruth Lake
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Winter weather all day with moderate snowfall and moderate to strong winds from the southwest. Around 3-4" overnight at the trailhead, but 2.5' to 3' for the upper elevation area around Hayden Pass. It has been snowing in this area since Saturday and what a stormy few days!
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2.5'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Lots of deep powder snow and the winds have also been moving a lot of this new snow around creating some big deep drifts.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Heavy snow and strong winds are likely overloading the snow pack creating dangerous avalanche conditions. I was surprised stomping around today that I was not getting more cracking in the new snow, might need a steeper slope to get things moving. Snow continued all day adding a few more inches and the winds did relax somewhat later in the afternoon.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Winds have been all over the place for a few days blowing all the new snow into deep drifts and overloading the snow pack. The visibility today did not allow any views of the higher terrain, but would imagine many slopes have avalanched naturally.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
A good load of new snow and wind will test some of the weaknesses buried around around the middle of the snow pack. I was able to get full propagation of a column of snow in a snow pit on a northeast aspect.
Comments
Full on winter conditions today along the Mirror Lake Highway, lots of new snow and steady winds creating deep powder conditions.
The trail groomer was out today pushing a full blade of new snow and keeping the trails in great shape.
On this northeast facing slope near 10,000' in elevation, I was able to get full propagation with 9 taps from the elbow on a column of snow on some buried faceted snow near the middle of the snow pack. I would suspect that this new load may test the strength of these weak layers.
Poor visibility today, but I imagine some of the higher elevation terrain has gone through a natural avalanche cycle given the new snow and strong winds.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates