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Observation: Gold Hill

Observation Date
2/4/2021
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Gold Hill
Location Name or Route
Gold Hill
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Mostly cloudy to broken skies with some sunshine overhead and quite cold today. Felt more like winter for a change.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Not a big storm, but 6" helped to smooth out the old snow surface. I was still feeling the old sled tracks but it was a nice refresher and maybe a little more tonight.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Not much in the red flag department today, the new snow itself was not enough to change the hazard much, but the winds that accompanied the storm likely added a denser slab on top in the exposed terrain.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Did not feel like the recent storm changed the conditions too much out of the wind, only 6" or so in the Gold Hill area. My snow pit stability test resulted in a ECTP22 that failed down near the ground on early season faceted snow. Maybe getting a little harder to trigger a slide on some slopes, but find the right weak spot and a deep and dangerous avalanche is very likely.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I did not observe much in the way of wind instabilities today and conditions appear to have settled out. Another storm this evening should ramp up the wind drifted snow issue for tomorrow.
Comments
A few new inches around Gold Hill today helped smooth out conditions a little bit, but could still feel some of the old sled tracks.
Up the highway from the trailhead just a couple new inches and it is still quite thin.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates