Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/4/2020
Observer Name
Cody Hughes
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Smith and Moorehouse
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm day in the mountains out of the wind. Winds drifting snow all day on the exposed ridgelines with plenty of snow available for transport. Upper-level clouds and warm ambient air temperatures preventing the surface from faceting where I was traveling.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Beautiful surfy settled powder skiing out of the wind zone. In exposed terrain, the snow surface varied from wind crust to inverted wind board.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Our remotely triggered avalanche on a northern aspect at 9800 ft was a clear sign of what to expect on leeward ridges. Cracking noted in wind slabs that did not have enough slope angle to avalanche. Poor snowpack structure where I dug a snowpit on NE at 8800 ft.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Winds out of the south transporting and loading north-facing slopes on the upper ridges and cross-loading terrain features mid-slope. Cracking noted and 2 remotely triggered avalanches walking a ridgeline at 9800 ft. These wind slabs are overloading an already fragile snowpack on the shady north-facing terrain. In more thin rocky areas in exposed terrain, I could foresee a wind slab moving downslope and stepping down to our basal facet layer at the ground. The key to this type of avalanche danger is simply avoidance. The snow is so good on lower angle slopes that there is no need to step into steeper avalanche terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Snowpack structure on the shady aspects is poor. We have a one-finger slab sitting on top of weak fist facets at the ground. With more snow and wind forecasted over the next week, I would not be surprised to see the basal facet layer come back to life ESPECIALLY in areas where winds are drifting snow on top of the fragile snowpack. The good news is we are developing a solid base with a meter of snow at 8800 ft and with time and patience, we will be able to step into bigger terrain. Just not now. Lots of good snow to be found in lower angle protected areas.
Video
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable