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Observation: Mill Hollow Environs

Observation Date
1/4/2024
Observer Name
Manship & Shirey
Region
Uintas » Mill Hollow Environs
Location Name or Route
Mill Hollow Area
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Overcast most of the day with the occasional glimpse of sun. Occasional light snow becoming more frequent by the end of the day. Winds at ridge lines where mostly light with a slight increase though out the day. Although it was mild the humidity made it seem cold.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
It only snowed a couple cm's of snow so the surface mostly felt like what was below. Many polar aspects being faceted and loose. WSW-SE having some degree of crust on it.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor structure still exists in areas harboring snow from before December. Most terrain will have poor structure after we get some more snow.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
9,500'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
The thing to note here is the buried surface hoar at the top. Under about 1-2cm of new snow large intact surface that seemed to be preserved from last nights small amount of snow. It seemed to exist in multiple places in the area that we where, not just this one spot. This was a semi sheltered treed area near treeline. Due to the mild weather with snow I wouldn't be surprised if this existed in other similar areas at and below tree line.
Photos below:
1) Hand pit around 9500' on a NW aspects, a small slab exists in the middle with weak above and below.
2) Hand pit facing West around 9100'. Crust on top with weak snow underneath with another crust below.
3) Basal facets
4) The rest are of buried surface hoar
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low
Coordinates