UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Hoyt Peak

Observation Date
1/16/2019
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Peak
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow was densely packed cracking a few feet but not propagating and not sluffing. Rime on the trees from the SE.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
With 1-2 feet of new snow expected this strom will be a good test on our multiple persistent weak layers commonly found throughout the northern Utah mountains on the north half of the compass.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,900'
Slope Angle
26°
Comments
This particular location was interesting. It is high enough to have October snow and on the north half of the compass but surprisingly there were no basal facets. That said my ECT test failed on the facets mid-snowpack. The good news is that the failure did not propagate. There was riming on the trees from the SE at lower than typical elevation.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable