Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
3/28/2020
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Comments
I got out yesterday to find another 14 inches of new snow since Wednesday. That's close to 3 feet of new snow in a week however water content is relatively low especially for this time of year so cohesion is minimal and without a persistent weak layer in the upper snow pack there is nothing for it to run deep on. Our October weak layer is now 3 meters down and as the season has shown so far no longer an issue so 2-3 inches of water over a short period isn't likely to rekindle the old flame. No rest for the wind. Light post frontal winds out of the north west quickly made use of the new light snow moving it to the leeward SE slopes and applying a wind skin on the north west as the wind pushed up slope. Below the alpine and in wind protected terrain the snow was excellent and very deep skiable and ridable. It's easy to stay away from the wind loaded terrain as there is more than enough snow away from exposed terrain to enjoy. There was minor manageable sluffing in steep north facing terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate