Observation Date
12/27/2019
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Mill Creek
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Cold start to the day with single digits warming into the teens. Broken sky with some short periods of sun and the day ending with mostly overcast. Hardly any wind even along the ridge lines with little wind issues in this zone
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Maybe around 6-8" new snow from the recent storm and very little wind with this snowfall. Very nice riding and turning conditions with a good base and pretty good coverage in the Mill Creek area for this early in the winter.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
As is often the case on the east side of the highway, the snow pack is generally shallow and has some more pronounced weak snow near the ground. I was able to get an isolated column of snow to propagate a crack with moderate effort in two different snow pits. I think the possibility of triggering an avalanche in this area is a bit more likely given the weaker snow structure.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Still cannot ignore the weak snow pack structure and it was more evident today in the Mill Creek area, where I could get crack propagation in both a shallow and a deeper snow pit. It was taking medium effort for the weak layer to fail, but given a thin spot on a slope the possibility of triggering an avalanche seem more possible in this zone.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I was surprised to see very little wind issues out in this area, the recent snow appear to have fallen with hardly a breath of wind where I traveled. Along the higher ridge lines there might be some lingering wind drifts and soft slabs that might be reactive to a person.
Comments
Had some good visibility early this morning and noticed the snow coverage in the Mill Creek area is fairly decent for this early in the winter. A few stumps and rocks, but overall a good base and not too punchy.
Dug two different snow pits, with one in a shallow location( around two feet in depth) and one where the snow depth was just over 3' (100cm). In both pits, an isolated column of snow would propagate a crack with moderate effort, a crack needs to travel or propagate for an avalanche to happen. I think you could ride a lot of the terrain in this area, but once a person finds a shallow weak spot its possible to trigger an avalanche.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
