UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/13/2019
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
A few morning snow showers, some partial clearing early in the afternoon with clouds moving back in around 2:00. Generally calm winds down low.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
A nice storm for the north slope, with a solid 10-12" at the trail head and upwards of 14" around 9,500'. Fairly dense snow and strong winds made for some tough riding and trail breaking. The snow coverage is much improved, but still punchy and sugary around bushes.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Heavy dense snow and strong winds have added a lot of weight in a fairly short time. I experienced many loud collapses as the weak snow near the ground cannot support the new snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Dense snow and strong winds have re-activated the weak snow structure, with loud collapses and stability tests showing a crack easily propagates across an isolated column of snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I was not able to get into high terrain where the strong winds have surely created sensitive wind drifts. My ride into Gold Hill was a little "sporty"with drifted snow across the open areas.
Video
Much improved riding conditions with a solid 12-14", but quite drifted snow even riding the trails into Gold Hill.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates