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Observation: Gold Hill

Observation Date
2/27/2021
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold day with west winds making for some below zero temperatures and mostly cloudy with some periods of light to moderate snowfall.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
A nice shot of snow for the north slope, about 6" in lower Mill City and Gold Hill with upwards of 10" around Gold Hill Pass and the higher ridge line. The winds have been moving lots of snow around filling in some old tracks, but not covering everything. There was drifted snow on many road cuts and small slopes, this drifted snow would easily crack once you rode through.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The wind loading and cracking in the new snow was mainly at and above tree line and the poor snow pack structure is still a concern.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Kind of feels like the snow pack might be slowly adjusting and a little less likely to trigger an avalanche where the snow pack is getting deeper. Todays new snow might not be a big stress on the pack, but in the wind zone I would think the new snow and wind has put a dense slab on top and I would be concerned in these places.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Todays fresh wind drifts should be less sensitive tomorrow.
Comments
It was a nice little refresh of a storm with anywhere from 8-10" around Gold Hill Pass which helped to fill in some old tracks. Not sure the new snow changed the hazard too much except where the wind has blown the snow into a denser slab which will stress the weak snow pack structure.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates