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Observation: La Sal Mountains

Observation Date
2/6/2021
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Moab » La Sal Mountains
Location Name or Route
La Sal Mountains
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Skies were hazy, but visibility became better above 8,000'. Northwest wind was cranking pretty good- probably around 40 mph at 12,000'. However, did not observe snow being transported at ridgetop.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Flying over both the La Sals and the Abajo Range today, I got to have a look at about 3/4 of the starting zones throughout both ranges. Conditions are quite variable. Winds have stripped ridges and west aspects appeared to have less snow overall than easterly aspects. Many southerly aspects are fairly snow-free. The winds have formed many different patterns in the alpine and there are definitely stiff-looking, cross-loaded windslabs plastered in the many gullies or concave zones from W-NW-N-NE-E-SE. Some areas look very wintery with wind-pressed, hanging slabs and intricate fluting in steep terrain.
Snow starting on 2/3/2021 looks to have been pressed around by moderate-strong NW winds.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Several recent avalanches were noted in Beaver Creek on an east aspect. Older avalanches, probably occurring on 1/30 or 1/31, could be seen in upper Beaver Basin on a NE aspect.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Stiff slabs overly weak faceted snow in the alpine. At lower elevations, the snowpack has warmed up a bit and gaining strength.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Hard to tell exactly how old the pillows and drifts might be, but judging by their shape some may be fairly recent.
Comments
This close up of a north aspect just west of Mann's Peak shows wind textures and a very cold, dry, and unpredictable snowpack that is present on high-elevation northerly aspects. It looks like W or NW winds have built a slab in this steep terrain.
Video
Upper Bear Creek, North aspect.
Southerly aspects in the Abajos.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates