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Observation: Gold Hill

Observation Date
3/20/2021
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
A day of new snow and wind with the storm arriving around 9am this morning. Fairly gusty southwest winds and a quick burst of intense snow followed by moderate snowfall as the day went on. Maybe two to three inches around Gold Hill when I was leaving early this afternoon and hoping for some good snow totals.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
A rising avalanche hazard with strong winds and moderate to heavy snowfall should increase the danger of new snow instabilities and sensitive drifts. Wind drifted snow was developing along the ridge lines, but I was not finding too much issue yet as the storm was just getting going.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
I would imagine a fresh round of sensitive wind drifted snow along the ridge lines. There was enough new snow for the gusty winds to whip up some soft drifts that would crack and these should get deeper and more reactive as the snow and wind continue.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The storm was looking pretty good while I was up today and there could be some new snow issues as the snow stacks up and falls on some slick surfaces.
Comments
Not a great photo of the pretty firm crust that is out there anywhere the sun has gotten to. It is getting a little harder to find the soft settled snow, but poke around in the trees and I was finding decent conditions.
This snow pit on a northeast facing slope around 10,000' looks pretty good. There are a few heat crusts near the top which is expected this time of year where the sun is hitting this slope and then some nice solid one finger dense snow nearly to the bottom where it gets slightly more sugary, but not too bad.
Changing snow and avalanche conditions today with gusty southwest winds and moderate snow starting this morning.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates