UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Moab

Observation Date
2/5/2014
Observer Name
Ryan schantzenbach
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
North woods
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Very cold, breezy in open meadows, calm in the trees.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very light density on sugary facets on north aspect trees, almost just swallowed you up.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
15' vertical 38 degree test slopes cracking / propagating naturally Visual on loose snow storm snow Avi on upper elevation north face Tuk No Running ~400 ft 200ft wide probably towards end of storm.. Lots of whoomfing in north woods trees area on a thick bed of loose facets
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable