UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: La Sal Mountains

Observation Date
3/1/2015
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab » La Sal Mountains
Location Name or Route
Funnel
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Pleasant winter day in the mountains. Temps in the mid 20's with occasional light flurries. After a windy night, things were mostly calm with occasional moderate gusts.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

5" of lighter density snow fell on top of the even lighter 5" we received on Thursday, for a slightly inverted new snow situation. We are now up to about 15" of new snow since last weekends storm and you can still feel the old snow surface underneath except in areas where blown in, or where the underlying surface was old re-crystallized snow.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We've not received enough snow to be categorized as "heavy snowfall" but it is starting to stack up and drifts up to 2' deep were observed. Felt several collapses in the snow today, and observed minor cracking along the lee sides of ridge crests above tree line. Slabs were rather stiff and reluctant to move. Many were formed further down the slope than I was willing to go and test. A full depth pit revealed a few prominent weaknesses with moderate sheers in the C11-13 range, both on the faceted old snow surface from the February high presssure spell, and on deeper faceted layers. About 18" of 3mm depth hoar still exists at the bottom, with some bridging/strenghtening above.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Wind slabs were stiff and stubborn today but still dangerous as you would likely trigger them once you were fully committed and further down the slope. Forecasted moderate to strong winds tonight will increase the danger as there is plenty of snow available for transport and more snow in the forecast.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Persistent slabs are again becoming a concern as additional weight is added to the snowpack. This problem is most prevalent right around tree line on steep, rocky, northerly aspects. Many of the traditional starting zones higher up, were scoured out and or sastrugied during the February high pressure.

Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
11,000'
Slope Angle
30°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates