Uintas

Yesterday's snowfall put a beautiful coat of white paint on the Uintas. Above treeline, the avalanche danger is MODERATE on wind loaded slopes where slabs of wind drifted snow are the main concern. All other slopes have a LOW danger.

The new snow begs us to make some gentle turns in rock free meadows. It's certainly worth getting out, but tread lightly as the snowpack is still thin and barely covering rocks, logs, and stumps.

To fulfill our mission, the UAC relies on our amazing backcountry community. Your support helps pay for the daily avalanche forecast, free awareness presentations across the state, and new tools like the new Avalanche and Observation Explorer. As the end of the year approaches, please consider donating to the UAC.

No avalanches were reported in the Uintas, but yesterday some shallow slabs of wind drifted snow were triggered by backcountry travelers and ski patrols in the Wasatch Range. Trip reports and the latest observations are found HERE.

Yesterday's much needed storm dropped 2-5 inches of snow (0.1-0.4 inches of water) across the Uintas in the morning. Flurries continued through the day. North winds in the afternoon brought very cold air and temperatures began plummeting. This morning, temperatures at upper elevations are hovering around 0 degrees F and in the low teens F at trailheads. Winds are fairly light for the Uintas, averaging 10-15 mph gusting to 26 from the north and northwest.

Today will be mostly sunny and cold with temperatures at upper elevations struggling to get into the low teens F. Winds from the north will blow 10-15 mph which will be especially noticeable with such cold temperatures.

Moving into this week, the weather will generally be cold and dry as winds from the north continue for a few days. By mid week, a ridge of high pressure moves overhead with some warmer temperatures.

The new snow is generally resting on an ice crust on south-facing slopes. The snow surface on northerly and easterly facing slopes became somewhat weak and faceted last week, but that creates a soft layer underneath yesterday's snow. Dense snow from the first weekend of December found in the middle of the snowpack provides some supportability. Under that layer is old November snow which is weak and faceted, but shouldn't be stressed by the recent snow.

Generally there's about two feet of snow in the Uintas although you can find a few places at upper elevations with closer to three feet.

Photo below of the snow at Gold Hill, 2 feet deep, NW facing at 9800 ft from Tuesday, Dec 19.

Craig upgraded the Uinta weather station network this summer and all that real-time info is found HERE. Simply click on "western Uinta" tab and then "weather stations" tab.

We are always looking for snow and avalanche observations or just general riding conditions. So... if you see something, say something. You can reach me directly at [email protected] or 801-231-2170.

Also, if you're looking for more avy education opportunities for yourself, your crew, or your club please don't hesitate to reach out to me and we'll find a presentation, class, or clinic for ya!

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Issued at 0700 on Sunday, December 24th this forecast will be updated by 0700 Monday, December 25th, 2023.

This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.