UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
4/1/2020
Observer Name
Maggie Nielsen
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Pre-Laurel Highway
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
At the beginning of the tour, there were a few, scattered, cirrus clouds over the mountains. I observed some small lenticular clouds beginning to form off of the North Group near Mt. Tamasaki. As the day progressed, the wind intensified and shifted directions between west and south at around 1pm. Fast moving cumulus clouds moved in as well,covering neary 1/2 of sky overhead. Temperatures were varied but ranged between mid 30's to mid 40's.Things are really beginning to warm up and this has begun to turn the road into a muddy mess, especially near the Squaw Springs TH.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The surface snow conditions are varied. High on the West and South Facing aspects are obvious signs of wind scouring and rippled snow texture (sastrugi). On the high North and East Facing aspects, one can observe smooth, wind loaded slopes, often with a cornice looming at the ridge crest. The sub-alpine zones are varied as well but good turns can be found. If you time it right, you can get good corn on the sunny aspects. Things really warmed up down near the gold basin road and the snow was grabby down in the trees off the ski track. Don't forget to bring your skin wax!
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Rapid Warming
Red Flags Comments
It appears that most of the snow that was available for transport by the wind has already been moved. That doesn't mean that the snow has already adjusted to all that new wind-loaded snow, however. Temperatures have been climbing the last few days and we are really beginning to see freeze/thaw cycles starting. This is happening high on South and West aspects as well as open-meadows and along the road. Things turn from a crust to corn to sludge very quickly in the spring and that rapid thaw allows water to percolate our snowpack. This can mean wet slides so be careful of your timing and terrain choices out there.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
If you look at the mountains from town you can easily see the wind has scoured the S & W aspects, leaving our N & E aspects loaded with all that new snow we received. Cornices are growing bigger along ridge crests and wind slabs are sure to be lurking on the leeward aspects. The snowpack needs time to adjust to all the new weight.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
I spent most of my time on the sunnier aspects today and the warming is clear. On the days I wish I were wearing shorts, I try to think about rapid warming influencing avalanche danger. When the wind paused, the temperatures were quite warm and this was evident on the drive up. The Geyser Pass Road had some pretty bad sections of mud and water running right down the road. On the ski tour, the snow was still supportable at 1pm on sunny slopes but was changing rapidly. This will no doubt affect our snow layers deeper in the snow until things become isothermal. Roller balls were also noted. The weather forecast looks mixed for the upcoming week with increasing clouds, possible precipitation, wind, and daytime temps getting warmer.
Comments
It was a beautiful afternoon for a ski tour in the mountains! Noted increasing clouds throughout the day as well as wind around 1 pm. The road was getting pretty muddy in places with snow rapidly thawing and draining down the road. I would recommend 4 wheel drive still at this point as Squaw Springs TH area is getting quite muddy. I skipped digging a snow pit today so I didn't get a good look at what was going on underneath. The ol' ski pole test indicated supportable snow and I didn't penetrate below it to find any faceted layers. I imagine they're there in force still. I noted some rollerballs, cornices, sun crusts, and scoured slopes on my tour as well. The ski down was fun, especially up high where I hit corn conditions but lower down was turning to sludge at 130pm.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate