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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
3/14/2021
Observer Name
Nauman, Howell, Quinn, Wilson
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Noriega's Backside
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
We weren't sure how far up the road we would make it, but despite the deep snow we made it to about 8800 on the road and parked. Early in the day it snowed moderately and the wind steadily picked up. This created trouble for us getting back down the road with up to 4' snowdrifts, and we had to dig through a couple :) The road will not be passable until it is plowed as we did not even make it to the worse part of the road. I REPEAT, THE ROAD IS NOT PASSABLE TO EVEN TRANS LA SAL RIGHT NOW. We had cables, 33" tires, a rear diff locker, 4L and we know this road well. It will take a plow to get anyone up to the winter trailhead at this point. The wind was ripping up high on Noriega's ridge and a LOT of snow is being transported. I am positive that there will be substantial avalanche activity from this wind.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Our pole poking revealed about 24-26" of fresh at ~10,000 feet today and could also feel the prior ~6" from Thursday-Friday. IT WAS DEEP. As the area we skied was only ~25 degrees, the first run was actually a little slow due to the depth of the snow and the medium density. We stayed in wind sheltered glades for skiing, but when we popped up to the ridgeline to look around crazy snow drifts were forming and a ton of snow was being transported.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
We only had one significant collapse today at timberline on a wind drift. The new snow is already forming a slab due to the density and would break off in cohesive chunks when breaking trail. It was very hard trail breaking today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The wind is wreaking havoc up there. I would not be surprised if natural wind slab avalanches also reactivate our persistent weak layers lingering deep in the snowpack and cause avalanches that step down to those layers.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We have received >33" of new snow over the last 3 days. This fresh snow has also already set up as a slab in the areas we were.
Comments
The wind is the story right now with large wind drifts forming in many areas.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates