UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/31/2014
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Pretty quiet day in the mountains, calm winds, forecast for snow throughout the day with 5-9" more possible didn't materialize.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snow pack is very weak with a variety of faceted layers, depth hoar, and areas where the whole pack is faceted. Isolated cracking in the new snow. Wind loading above treeline.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

New snow, relatively un-affected by wind. Soft but cohesive storm slab over weak surface facets.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Plenty of weak snow with a variety of faceted layers, depth hoar, and areas where the whole pack is facets. Buried persistent slabs remain, and new snow will soon become part of persistent slab problem with these weaknesses.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate