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Observation: Uintas

Observation Date
12/10/2024
Observer Name
Katz
Region
Uintas
Location Name or Route
Currant Creek Environs
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Despite clear skies a bright sun, today's frigid air temperatures and Moderate-gusting-strong winds made for a very cold day.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Though the amount of new snow was slim (3" observed), the persistent winds have managed to load up lee slopes, and strip rigdelines (photo attached of an exposed ridge at 9800'). Some localized cracking was observed as well.
Comments
Observation period from 1000-1500 in Mill Hollow through Currant Creek Environs. A classic Uinta refresh was delivered overnight with slim snow totals, but enough wind to revive some of the conditions for riding and turning (see attached photo of filled in machine tracks). With the uptick in winds, many slopes are visibly loaded or cross loaded, with the newly formed wind slabs sitting on top of the weak, friction-lacking old snow surface of days past. Surface hoar crystals (see attached photo) were found below new snow buried intact just lee of an exposed ridge at 9800'. Though a photo (attached) of an avalanche on a steep NE slope on Currant Creek Peak could have occurred today, the avalanche does appear to be old enough to be from the 11/27 cycle, or thereabouts.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates