Observation Date
1/11/2024
Observer Name
Ted Scroggin
Region
Uintas » Whiskey Creek
Location Name or Route
Whiskey Creek/ Hwy 150
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Quite cold today and that was without the wind. Skies were somewhat broken, there was very light snowfall that did not add up to much and fairly light winds from a north direction.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
16"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Not sure the weather stations are picking up the cold light density snow that has been falling. I was surprised at how much new snow there was just up the highway from the trail head. I was measuring 14-16" of snow that has fallen in the last few days and the coverage at the mid elevation has greatly improved.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Enough red flags checked that I did not need to see a lot of terrain to feel that conditions are very unstable.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Heavy snowfall, steady winds and a poor snow pack structure have put the snow pack on the edge. I was getting collapsing and cracking on nearly flat terrain and had numerous collapses that would shake the snow out of small trees. I would imagine with more heavy snow and wind, the snow pack will no longer handle the stress.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
I did not get into terrain where the wind has been drifting snow, but I would bet a stiffer wind slab has overloaded many slopes.
Comments
This mini avalanche happened as I was traveling through the forest and was a red flag that conditions are quite unstable. I did not need to see a lot of area after seeing this and hearing numerous collapses.
A quick and dirty snow pit confirmed all the red flags where a slab now rests on top of a very weak snow and it was easy to get propagation of a crack.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates
