Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
11/14/2020
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,300'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
I got out early today to find 10 inches of new above 9k. After looking at the wind gusts on MT. Baldy in the Wasatch gusting over 80 mph in the early hours of the morning I was expecting a wind fest in the Uintas but that wasn't the case at all. Wind was moderate out of the WNW. Snow was heavy until about 3:00 with 4-6 inches of new while I was up on the mountain. I dug a little lower seen in the picks below and found the weakest layer is the new snow old snow interface. My tests showed no signs of propagation. There were 2 breaks worth noting ECTN 5 BRK in the top 10 cm and ECTN 15 BRK 30 cm from the base. For me, the weak layer of concern is the new snow old snow interface because, as seen below, my shovel shear on the remaining ECT column pulled out clean across the remaining block on this layer. The density inversions within the new snow were not significant enough for my tests to propagate. Also worth noting were large collapses to the ground when skinning over bushes. A little higher up on the other side of the mountain in sheltered steeper north facing terrain I was able to consistently measure 90 cm of snow pack. N-NE aspects are forming cornices already and I was able to kick off this small one. For now, the snow is excellent for skiing and riding, however with our tropical weather scheduled for Monday - Wednesday this will all change very rapidly.
The low angle south side of the compass is skiing great!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate