Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/5/2021
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Western Uintas
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
7"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,400'
Slope Angle
28°
I found about 7 inches of new medium density snow up high today. Winds kicked up out of the NW pretty good with the passing of the front late morning but subsided in the afternoon. I experienced wide spread collapsing all day long while riding, skiing and skinning. My ECT test failed ECTP20 SC Q2 on top of the facets that formed during our December dry spell. Up high on the ridge-line I found an isolated patch of zipper crust. Some of the trees were reflecting light. It was an isolated observation.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable