Observation Date
3/18/2025
Observer Name
Maggie Nielsen, Kevin Franke, Jeff Arbon
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Geyser Pass Road Near Dark Canyon Lake
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Moderate Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
The day started out with some light precipitation and light winds. At ~11am, a sucker hole opened up before serious clouds settled in and started dumping snow and blowing strong winds. We spent a majority of the day in the white room and watched the growling intensity of the precipitation and wind throughout the rest of our travels. We estimated gusts in the 60mph range that varied in direction to include SW, E, and N. Considerable wind drifts had formed over the road we had driven in on in only ~2 hours, leaving us with only minor depressions to navigate back with. Temperatures were cold (~20 without the wind) and even colder when the wind went wild. Serious wind loading was observed throughout the day and both moderate (S2) and heavy snowfall (S5) intensity was observed intermittently. An awesome, violent experience.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow that fell was varied. We observed a mix of graupel, stellars, and other mixed precipitation particles. We certainly had wind board and wind slabs developing quickly up there today but we managed to also find plenty of soft, deep powder in the protected areas. We observed instability in the new snow on a number of isolated slopes with a great propensity for widespread cracking. The snow surface was mostly supportable but we did manage to punch through from time to time (both with snow machines and boot penetration) and got sent all the way to the bottom of the snowpack, where the large faceted grains were waiting for us.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Though sporadic, we did observed periods of heavy snowfall and strong winds (~60mph). On 3 isolated slopes, we observed shooting cracks and kicked off the top 15cm of soft slab that had begun developing. As we continue to follow along with the saga of this year's snowpack, we are not fooled into thinking things have healed yet. In fact we're feeling quite the opposite. We see more snow being added to a very poor snowpack structure with the slabs continuing to build up on top.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The wind was absolutely wild up there today! The large tree tops violently bent and swayed as snow rapidly whipped across the snowscape. The wind was so loud at points that it sounded like a close-proximity jet plane was flying by. That was the strongest wind-loading I've laid witness to in quite some time.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
We observed about 10- 15cm of new snow in the short 4 hours we were riding today. We managed to trigger a few small, surface avalanches in the new snow on isolated slopes that were ~ 30-35 degrees. The most impressive was one that cracked ~ 100yards across through the new snow. The snow continued to fall as we departed. The persistent weak layer avalanche problem is still very present as well and we'd place it highest up on the list of problems to continue to be extra mindful of.
Comments
What an awesome day to be up in the mountains and witness the sheer power of nature! Found some awesome conditions in the sheltered low-angle areas and had a ball out there today. No pit today but a few hand shears and plenty of digging all the way to the bottom of the snowpack to retrieve the snow machines. Photo below shows shooting crack estimated at 100 yards. Video shows just how serious the wind and snow condtions were at times.
Video
Small avalanche in the new snow observed on this small, isolated slope. Estimated at 100' wide x 3 - 4" deep.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates
