Observation: Moab

Observation Date
2/4/2020
Observer Name
Brian Hays
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Pre-Laurel Peak, upper Funnel, North Woods
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Clear, sunny, and cold. Light wind out of the North.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Mixed bag of snow conditions. There was excellent skiing in the trees with up to 10" of light powder. Ridgetops were blasted clear by the winds and conditions in wind-exposed areas were windboard, sastrugi, and thin snow with rocks and grass. Other slopes above treeline varied greatly. Leeward slopes NW-E showed significant loading with obvious pillows of wind drifted snow. S-W aspects ranged between wind-blasted to dust on crust to decent powder over sun-crust depending on aspect and elevation. I only observed one small avalanche on upper Tele Gold below the cliffs: 50' wide and ran for 200'. Observed from a distance but appears to be wind-slab during the storm. Some other insignificant sluffs in chutes and steep terrain up high.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Obvious windloading on leeward slopes above treeline NW-E.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Significant loading on leeward slopes above treeline.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates