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Observation: Horse Creek

Observation Date
1/11/2025
Observer Name
Kennard, Grote
Region
Moab » Horse Creek
Location Name or Route
Horse Creek
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
it was a cold day touring around horse creek with temperatures in the teens and no sunshine to speak of while we were out. Winds were light and at times we would get short spurts of light snow fall.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
1"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The 1 inch of snow that we got early this morning was very low density . It did little to improve overall conditions but at least it made helped hide all the wind affected snow. It was apparent that winds had been heavy out of the north for the past couple days and much of the snow we received last week has been transported from it's original location. We were able to find some good quality powder in the sheltered burn area headed into horse creek which made for a few nice turns. But as most of us already know it is still low tide out there and we also found plenty of downed trees just under the snow surface or not yet buried. In pinto glades there is still plenty of grass poking above the snow and in some spots we found snow depths as low as 8".
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I’m going to sound like a broken record but the winds have really done a number on the snow in any open area. The north side of the ridge was scoured by the wind out in the open. That snow has found a new home in wind slabs on the lee side of slopes, plenty of fresh wind slabs in pinto glades. I had one small localized collapse towards the top of the ridge out in the open. And of course we can’t forget about the weak faceted layer that is the bottom of our snow pack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates