Observation Date
2/19/2018
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Bear River Ranger District » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Winter conditions with 12-14" new snow, cold temps and little wind on the Gold Hill ridge. Light snow throughout the day with some brief filtered sun at times.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
14"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Great low density snow and the conditions around Gold Hill were very nice. A nice 12-14" and it rode like there was more as the low density snow was over the hood!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I was a little surprised that things were not very sensitive this afternoon. I did not experience any cracking or collapsing, the wind slabs were not real reactive and the conditions were great for riding and turning. Not sure the area got the water weight, but I would think areas that are shallow and did get more wind, the hazard would be elevated.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Put storm slab for the first issue, as I did not see much in the way of active wind slabs. The new snow instabilities should settle out quickly, but more snow is forecasted.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Not sure the Gold Hill area saw the water weight, but places where the snow pack is shallow, the new snow and wind may be enough to stress the buried weak sugary snow.
Comments
Great storm with around 12-14" new snow and it rode like there was more as the light density snow was over the hood.
Where the snow pack is deep, this new snow was not enough to stress the deeper buried faceted sugar snow, but there were some new snow instabilities that would crack but not propagate.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
