UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
2/13/2014
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway-Funnel
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Moderate winds, intermitent. Mainly above tree line, but ocasionally at mide elevations.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mostly dense, settled loose snow. Getting damp down low on all aspects, up high on south faces. Sun crusts at mid and lower elevations. Thin wind crusts up high on exposed westerly aspects.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Several days since last snow fall but all other red flags present. Several "recent" avalanches observed, probably 5-6 days old. Most involved new snow, but at least one larger slid in Horse Creek may have involved older snow. Plan to investigate tomorrow. Moderate winds transporting significant amounts of snow up high on to easterly aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Still lots of snow available for transport, and active loading occurring at upper elevations. Moderate NW winds over the past several days have continued to load easterly aspects. Slabs are stubborn to release but are now over 3' deep.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Snow pack is extremely weak. Three separate storm events over the past two weeks have now consolidated over a layer of mid level facets. Cracking and collapsing in this consolidated layer is occurring on these facets,

Snow pit profiles indicate good shearing properties on this layer.

CT12 Q1

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
11,300'
Slope Angle
26°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates