Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
11/29/2018
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
I got out late in the afternoon today and poked around the new snow on both the south and north aspects. The wind was moderate to strong and constant out of south west transporting new snow onto the leeward side. With all the new snow and wind today cornices are quickly forming. I was able to collapse one north facing slope seen below but it seems there was too much friction on the weak layer for the snow to move. By nightfall there was about 10 inches of new snow in the basins above 9k.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable