Observation Date
3/27/2021
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Steiner-Lofty
Location Name or Route
Hwy 150, Steiner, Lofty
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cool and calm at the trail head this morning, but cooler and windy in the upper elevation terrain around Hayden Pass. It was easy to observe the blowing and drifting snow along the higher slopes from moderate northwest winds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great quality snow today with several new inches since around Thursday with the off aspects having nice snow today that held up quite well to the mild temperatures. Winds from the northwest through northeast have worked over some of the higher exposed slopes and really turned on the normally wind scoured south facing terrain.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Was not quite expecting much in the way of wind issues today, but the northwest winds were steady and moving snow around creating some decent wind slabs that would crack out, but seemed a little reluctant to move down slope. These will probably be more isolated tomorrow and more settled out.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Fresh wind drifted snow along the exposed ridges were a little reactive this morning, but seemed to relax with some day time warming. I was able to get one decent 12-16" deep wind slab to crack and move a little, but it may not have had enough slope angle to get going, these will likely be old news tomorrow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Up near the pass I did have some damp snow, but generally any wet sluffs were not an issue. The recent snow should get more unstable has it gets a good hit of strong spring sun tomorrow and would think more wet activity is possible.
Comments
Passed by the Steiner weather station and nice to see a fairly deep snow pack.
Looking around the range there should be some great spring adventures with the High Uintas having good coverage right now.
The northwest winds had plenty of new snow to create some wind slabs, this one on a southeast facing slope was around 12-16" deep and fairly connected, but it was a little stubborn and might have needed more slope angle. I would think these are more isolated and less reactive tomorrow with less wind and more heating.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
