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Observation: Hoyt Environs

Observation Date
1/18/2023
Observer Name
jg
Region
Uintas » Hoyt Environs
Location Name or Route
Hoyt Peak
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Broken sky most of the day with the sun popping out occasionally but temps in the low to mid teens kept the snow light and cold. Snowed lightly most of the day with an inch or two of accumulation by day's end.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The new snow is very light density.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
We didn't encounter any red flags today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
There's not shortage of low density snow available for transport so wind speed and directions will be something to follow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
8,800'
Slope Angle
30°
Comments
Nice cold day in the mountains. We traveled the north half of the compass up to 10K. Overall snow depths from 8K to 10K were between 200cms-255cms (6.5'-8'+). With 7 to 8 feet of snow on the ground we weren't very concerned about the deeply buried PWL created during the November dry spell so we directed our attention to the upper 63cms (25") since that is where we were finding instabilities in Column Tests. ECTs did not propagate across the column and only failed under the shovel blade. The new snow was well behaved and wasn't sluffing in steep terrain. There are copious amounts of light density available for transport so wind will be something to watch the next couple of days.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low