UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Moab

Observation Date
4/8/2020
Observer Name
Maggie Nielsen
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Julie's Glade
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Another beautiful day up in the La Sal Mountains today. Things are certainly warming as April progresses with temperatures ranging from 40-48 degrees during our tour (11am-130pm). A light, cool breeze blew intermittently, which helped to keep the surface snow cool and supportable.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Sunnier aspects in the alpine, as well as lower elevation meadows, glared from melt-freeze crusts that have formed. High daytime temps and freezing temps overnight, along with some help from cool winds, have kicked our melt-freeze cycle into gear. North and easterly aspects are smooth and slightly rippled in appearance from the wind drifted snow from over a week ago. I did observe a shallow, narrow slab release on the North side of TukNo (Exxon's Folly) that didn't travel far down slope but still could knock you off your feet or carry you through some unpleasant terrain or obstacles. Even worse still, that snow could step down deeper into the snowpack and trigger something much more dangerous. Surface snow on the sunny aspects also seemed to be acting up as temperatures warmed in the afternoon. The top 8-12" was initially supportable, but collapsed and propagated around my feet in a low angle section near Julie's Glade around 1230pm. We did manage to time the thaw just right and skied great corn around 10,800' on a low angle, West aspect at 1pm.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Various ski pole tests indicated a supportable crust about 12" thick was sitting over less cohesive snow. Later on, I dug a quick pit to get a look at the layering on a Southwesterly aspect and discovered many complexities still exist within the snowpack, including numerous crusts. Two compression tests revealed moderate failures in the upper 1/3 of the snowpack. One small avalanche was observed on a Northerly aspect at about 11,000'. Temperatures were quite warm and I did see active water flowing in the parking lot but no other rapid warming signs were evident. I did observe a few small collapses under my feet around 10,500' that propogated in a complete circle from nearly ski tip to ski tip.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
We still have a lot going on under the snow surface. Things become more complex when you consider how extreme the variability is this time of year with strong sun and wind to name a few. Every aspect, angle, and elevation have different factors at play so be aware that things can change very quickly. On a Southwesterly aspect around 10,500', I dug a quick snow pit and included a profile below. I wish I would have taken a temperature profile as well but the corn was calling.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
As the temperatures increase throughout the day, we are going to see more wet avalanche activity. Timing is very important this time of year. Be vigilant about staying off and out from under slopes that have seen strong sun already. I've been having good luck with descent times between noon and 1pm right now; although, that will be changing as the sun angle and intensity picks up. Keep your eye out for signs of rapid warming including: rollerballs, point releases, and active water draining or pooling. A good thing to take notice of is how saturated your skins are getting. We also seem to be getting fewer and fewer freezing temperatures at night so do your homework, read the advisory, and check the Snotel site for information.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
The turns in the corn were awesome! Things turn sticky around 10,000' and below. Photos included illustrate a small avalanche, giant dog hops, snow cracking around skis, and the current state of the parking lot.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates