Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/24/2019
Observer Name
Heaton/Heaton
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Wolf Creek Pass near Silver Meadow
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,400'
Comments
Poor visibility between 0900 and 1300. Winds generally stout southwesterly decreasing toward afternoon. We saw some cornices and noticed chalky-looking snow in the lee and it sounded hollow to walk across in the rolling meadow around Silver Meadow area. Stability tests on 15 degree NNW aspect indicated a stabilizing snow pack. Through tonight and tomorrow, however, new snow load could affect the deep faceted layer. The buried surface hoar we found in our test pit could be a problem with increased new snow. However, further tests are needed to establish how widespread this buried surface hoar is. Our test pit was in a very wind-sheltered, densely-treed area that may not be representative.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable