Observation: Uintas

Observation Date

2/18/2026

Observer Name

N Sievers

Region

Uintas

Location Name or Route

Wolf Creek Pass

Weather

Sky

Obscured

Precipitation

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

1in/hr snowfall rates were consistent through late AM, alongside light to moderate SW winds. Around 1:00pm, winds veered NW as an additional frontal passage arrived - delivering 2-3in/hr snowfall rates and widespread, blowing snow within sheltered terrain.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Snow Characteristics Comments

HS across NW-N-NE facing terrain between 8900-9900ft averaged 110-170cm in HS - with our new, fairly unsettled storm snow doubling our existing snowpack depths. 60-80cm (24-32in) of new snow was evenly distributed across sheltered terrain, with 10cm (4in) accumulating during my travels from late AM - early PM. New snow is resting "right-side up" in sheltered terrain, where sustained winds have not had as much effect on snow surfaces recently. Snowfall was still ocurring at 1-2in/hr rates upon leaving the field around 3:00pm.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Cracking

Collapsing

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Just about everything in the red flag playbook was observed today. Numerous avalanches identified along SR-35 up to wolf creek pass - a majority of them amongst the North half of the compass. Countless collapses and rumbling "whoomphs" were observed during my uphill travels. Probing and digging below snow surfaces indicated that our significant new load is interacting poorly with our January Drought layer. Moderate with brief periods of strong SW-NW winds were actively transporting snow, primarily in near/at treeline elevations.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Old, weak January snow has been capped by nearly 80cm (32in) of new snow in past 48 hours. The January Drought layer is showing it's true colors today, and likely to remain reactive given the rapid adjustments, or lack thereof, from our new load.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Significant snowfall rates and rapid accumulations have built reactive slabs atop a variety of snow surfaces, including our weak and faceted, January Drought layer.

Snow Profile

Aspect

North

Elevation

9,800'

Slope Angle

13°

Comments

The snowpit photo above illustrates the extent of new snow accumulation atop an already weak and poorly structured snowpack within sheltered, mid-elevation, north-facing terrain. Numerous collapses were observed along our January Drought layer through my travels. This location has remained largely unaffected by recent wind activity; however, one can reasonably infer that slabs being built with our new snow within the windzone and/or exposed locations would be considerably larger, stiffer, and more connected through terrain features.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

High

Coordinates

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