Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/27/2021
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Western Slope
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
8,700'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
I got up today but since it was a blizzard out there, I opted for some low altitude north facing treed terrain below 28 degrees. Just 6 inches of new snow on my skin track from yesterday. 2 inches of new snow on my sled while I dug a pit and skied 6 short laps, 2 hours total time. Although I often ski this area when there is too much snow to get up high or the wind is ripping, I rarely measure snow depth at this low altitude, 8700ft. Since it had rained so hard numerous times earlier this year at this altitude, I was surprised to see a meter and a half of snow. I tested the snowpack twice and both times I was able to get a propagating fracture that collapsed and in my second test fell in the pit. ECTP 13 SC Q2 and ECTP 16 SP Q2 1 meter below the surface. These failures occurred just above the facets that formed during our long dry spell in terrain I had previously collapsed on the 24th.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High