Observation: Bear River

Observation Date
3/15/2026
Observer Name
CBrown
Region
Uintas » Bear River
Location Name or Route
West Fork Bear River
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly sunny skies with a few high clouds. Cold temps.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

1-4cm of new snow from the windstorm. Only the most wind-sheltered norths have settled powder. Many areas have very supportable snowmobile riding conditions. This will change with forecasted warm temps.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Fair structure in this area compared to poor structure further east yesterday. Facets remain below the supportable crust and slab. WIth the lack of storm last night, there is little to no AST.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Poor structure. Suspect things will loose strength with the wearming temps forecasted this week.

Comments

I think there is limited to no AST (available snow for transport) left to load slopes after a week of high winds. The lack of new snow from last night's storm limited wind slab development. Although it will feel like St. George this week in SLC, the Uinta snowpack is more reminiscent of a weak continental Colorado snowpack. With the warming forecasted this week, I would be suspicious of N-E-SE facing slopes. If the crust and slab are bridging right now, with warming temps, this will be reduced, potentially allowing riders to collapse the slab above the facets.

But, I bet there will be some quality corn skiing on S-SW slopes. Limited to no snow left on ATL w-NW slopes.

Today observed snow depths, all BTL (below tree line)... WSW, 10.200' HS 130cm. NW 10,400' HS 140-160 cm. N 10,000 HS 150 cm. ENE 10,000 HS 150-170.

Photos show a lack of coverage on W-NW and slightly more robust coverage on the East half of the compass.

Coordinates