Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/14/2019
Observer Name
Brackelsberg/Paradis/Caplis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Chalk Creek
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Cold front moved in at noon. Temperatures dropped and precipitation picked up to >S2. Wind was very strong above tree line scouring most of the surface.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Significant new, low-density snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Pretty much full spectrum of red flags today. We did observe older slide debris on a north-facing steep slope around 10,400 feet. With the high snowfall rates and wind, it is hard to say if the biggest concern was the new snow or persistent weak layer. None were comforting.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Significantly high PI (precipitation intensity) rates with high wind when the cold front arrived around noon. The snow was very low density.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Still very poor snowpack structure with 30cm+ of facets on the ground. We had very active results with both CT and ECT (see pit profile).
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
9,700'
Slope Angle
15°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates