UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Moab

Observation Date
4/2/2020
Observer Name
Kennard
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Ridge
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
It felt like winter up in the La Sals today with light snow fall, poor visibility and and a steady south wind. The only thing that was missing was good dry powder.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Although it snowed the entire time that I was touring there was only a trace of accumulation, even up at treeline. Overall conditions seem to be going through a transitional period right now with most of the snowpack being crusted over, but not quite to a corn cycle. On the way up to the top of the north woods my pole probes reiterated that there is till a pile of faceted snow underneath the new snow that fell last week. Even the snow in the sheltered trees is highly variable with small patches of soft settled powder but the majority of what I found was tree bombed from last storms snow and sun affected wherever the sun can get through the trees. near the bottom of the northwoods it almost felt like there was a week uniform melt freeze crust. Currently our total snow depth is 65".
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Facets are still present in the snow pack from our long dry winter. I am not sure how much snow is available for transport right now, but we certainly have had the winds to blow it around lately.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Even though it is the beginning of April our snowpack still has an abundance of facets underneath the new snow at upper elevation north facing slopes. Just because it is spring does not necessarily mean we have spring conditions down here in the desert. Careful slope assement is still key.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Like I mentioned above I do not know how much snow is available for transport, but we certainly have had the winds for it the past few days.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate