11th Annual Utah Snow & Avalanche Workshop Open and Motorized Sessions Oct. 27th.
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Weather Archives How we generate an advisory
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Selected Routes Place Names Map Archives
Education
UAC & KBYG Classes Other Classes Know Before You Go Tutorials Backcountry Emergencies Beacon Practice FAQ Encyclopedia
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate
Ad
Observation Date: 
2/7/2017
Observer Name: 
Ted Scroggin
Region: 
Uintas
Location Name or Route: 
Gold Hill Basin
Weather
Sky: 
Obscured
Precipitation: 
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction: 
West
Wind Speed: 
Strong
Weather Comments: 
Windy, snowy and not overly cold for early February. Almost rain in Evanston and just barely cold enough for about 2" of wet snow at the north slope trailhead.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth: 
10"
New Snow Density: 
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions: 
Powder
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments: 
Wet snow starting at about 8,300' and turning colder and less heavy wet dense snow around 9,000'. Conditions were upside down with denser snow on top of lighter snow and lots of grauple falling throughout the day.
Red Flags
Red Flags: 
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Avalanche Problem #1
Type: 
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend: 
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments: 
Strong gusty winds were creating "touchy" wind slabs that were breaking up to a foot deep.
Avalanche Problem #2
Type: 
New Snow
Trend: 
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments: 
The snow conditions were inverted today, with denser snow on top of some grauple and lighter density snow. The gusty winds continued throughout the day creating slabby snow that would break out around skis and sled.
Comments: 
1. Pretty quiet day at the trailhead. 2. Easy shears within the new snow and lots of grauple mixed in. 3. It continued to grauple most of the day and it was easy to get small grauple sluffs on steeper slopes.
Easy to trigger these "touchy" wind slabs that would break up to a foot deep. The slab was 4F hard on top and Fist hard on the bed surface. Strong gusty winds were even getting into the lower sheltered terrain.
Pretty decent riding in protected mellow terrain.
Today's Observed Danger Rating: 
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating: 
High
Snow Profile Coordinates: 
Ad

Support the Avalanche Center through your purchases

Discount lift tickets
All proceeds from ticket sales benefit the UAC when you purchase your next lift tickets.
Lift tickets available in November
Need new gear?
Make your next purchase from our Affiliate Partners and the UAC will receive a portion of the sales.
Shop
Sign up for our newsletters, emails and daily forecasts to stay up to date.
Subscribe
Advisory Hotline: (888) 999-4019
Contact Information
Utah Avalanche Center and Forest service logo
Instagram Icon Facebook Icon Twitter Icon