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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
1/10/2020
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Chilly early in the morning, warming up slightly and what a beautiful day. A solid 12-14", sunny day and almost no wind even along the ridge lines.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
A much needed storm with a foot or more of nice cold powder, filling in most of the old tracks and great riding and turning.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
Not any big red flags that I observed today. The winds were very light to calm and not moving the snow around unless you were on the very high peaks. Just some minor cracking of wind drifts, but these did not have much energy.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The drifted snow up along the ridge lines seemed mostly relaxed and did not want to move much. Slopes facing east appear to have the most wind drifted snow. Should see the winds ramp up with the approaching storm and there is no shortage of loose dry snow to blow around.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
A long duration storm for the next few days should add some good weight to the snow pack and there are several layers on many aspects that might get active.
Comments
A great shot of snow for the north slope with a solid foot, more in some places making for great powder conditions and filling in old tracks.
The new light density snow was being whipped up in the very high peaks, but conditions were generally calm along the Gold Hill ridge line.
A beautiful winter day with new snow, very little wind and great views no matter what method you choose to travel.
Not much activity off the ridge lines where the recent wind slabs did not have much life left and just sluffing of the new snow was all I observed today.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates