Observation: Laurel Highway

Observation Date
2/14/2025
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Moab » Laurel Highway
Location Name or Route
Coyote Chute
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Brief clearing in the morning with thick Valley Fog. Then precip turned on again around 10am. Started as graupel but transitioned to snowflakes.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
New snow has been drifted by southerly winds. Storm totals as of mid day seem to hover around 1' with 1.5" of SWE measured in the field.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
I observed a collapse and shooting cracks on a north aspect NTL. Breaking trail was occasionally quite punchy, with weak, low density snow underneath the medium density new snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Test results showed consistent suddent failures and propagating results on the new snow/ old snow interface about 30 cm down. I observed shooting cracks on a steeper north aspect that also failed at this interface/layer. The 1-2" of snow from earlier in the week is resting on the FEB thaw crust and may have faceted during the mini cold snap. Did not investigate other aspects so unsure of the distribution. Faceted snow lower in the snowprofile was not reactive but would guess that as the new snow load increases and wind moves snow, these layers will become reactive.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Winds seem to have relaxed a bit, but were moving snow ATL. I could see plenty of drifting in the trees on the Laurel Hwy as well.
Comments
1) Snow profile in Coyote Chute
2) Shooting cracks on Julie's Back side
3) Instabilities within the new snow
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates