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Observation: Mill Hollow

Observation Date
1/5/2024
Observer Name
Katz/Harrison/Lee
Region
Uintas » Mill Hollow
Location Name or Route
Mill Hollow
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
This morning began with broken skies (pictured), light winds, and light snowfall. After 13:30, NW winds increased, snowfall rates increased, and skies became obscured.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Cracking observed only when walking in especially bushy terrain (crack pictured).
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,100'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments
Its on! In the Mill Hollow zone today, 4" of rimed precipitation particles fell (attached is photo of rime on a tree). While this bump of snow greatly improved turning conditions and coolant temperatures, only skiing old, loud powder underneath the new snow kept one from bottom feeding. Intact buried surface hoar (photo attached, 2mm grid) could be found almost everywhere, except, ironically, the location of the attached snowpit, which was dug in an area of relative shelter. Later in the day, after the increased snowfall rates of 13:15, handpits were failing on the old/new interface with regularity. Two ECTP results (one attached) in the attached snowpit revealed the reactivity of the November facets with the weight of new snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates