Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
2/6/2020
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak Environs
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Temps in the mid to low 20's with moderate west winds and light snow made it feel colder than it was.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
1"-4" of new snow depending on elevation. New, medium density snow was not bonding well to old, light density snow surface. Zipper rime crust on S and SW facing slopes up to about 9K
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Comments
The wind was actively moving snow today and the new, medium density snow wasn't bonding well to old surface. It was easy to get shallow, manageable soft slabs to move on steeper slopes. More snow and wind will elevate the avalanche danger and make avalanches considerable for new snow and wind slab avalanches in steeper terrain that has been wind loaded. In terrain that's previously avalanched or has a thinner snowpack it will be possible to have avalanches break deeper in the snowpack.
Photo below, rimed zipper crust and graupel.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable