UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: GE Hill

Observation Date
12/16/2021
Observer Name
Darce Trotter
Region
Skyline » Fairview Canyon » Blind Fork » GE Hill
Location Name or Route
GE Hill
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Winds were light in the morning in this normally windy location, we were parked at the Skyline Weather Station and that saddle gets a lot of wind. We were after the wind sheltered treed slopes to the West in hopes that they had been spared. Ridgetops were blasted from the WSW
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
as expected, a lot of spatial variability in snow depths and types. Some places in the trees the snow bombs from previous storms are now covered and felt like hard MF crusts that you couldn't punch through, but away from the trees, nothing of the sort. New snow of 5"-6" settled powder was present in the sheltered area's we were looking, and seemed right side up with the exception of the dreaded faceted layer on the ground. The facets did seem damp but still hard to miss.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
If the skiing was good, the facets were present, just as forecast, on NW through NE sheltered areas, the perfect garden for them in our high and dry November. Cornices were not huge because of overall lack of snow to transport, and so hard you would not hardly leave a mark in them
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
We were not up in the big country, but forecast is spot on for this layer to remain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Honking winds have created drifts and whales in the usual places
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
9,400'
Slope Angle
20°
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates