Observation Date
3/23/2016
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill Basin
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
A nice return to winter with 6" at the north slope trailhead and a good 12"+ in the Gold Hill area. It was cold light density snow that would flow over your sled hood this morning, but the new snow started to take on some heat late in the afternoon. A few peeks of the sun now and then with light ridge top winds from a northerly and at times easterly direction. Very little wind transported snow that I observed.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
The good 12-14" of fairly light density snow helped to cover old tracks, but on steeper slopes the hard melt freeze crust could still be felt riding around.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
There were some minor wind drifts and sensitive cornices earlier in the day that only involved the new surface snow once they got moving downhill. By mid-afternoon things seem to have settled out some. This time of year it does not take much sun to quickly change the snow conditions once new snow gets it's first hit of sun.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Depending on how much sun there is tomorrow the new snow should quickly feel the heat and loose surface slides are possible.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The new cornices and wind drifts were sensitive to a persons weight this morning, but they did not really want to move very far and only involved the new surface snow. There could be a few wind slabs in the higher terrain that are still reactive to a person and may crack out around your sled, skis or board.
Comments
Another nice storm for the western Uintas, with the Gold Hill area getting 12-14" and winter like conditions with great light cold density snow to ride in.
Some of the cornices and wind drifts were sensitive to a persons weight this morning, but they did not really want to do much once you got them to move down hill. These would only travel a short distance, involve the new surface snow and did not pose much of a hazard, unless you might be in very steep terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
