Observation Date
3/7/2026
Observer Name
Maggie Nielsen, Laney The Dog
Region
Moab » Gold Basin » North Woods
Location Name or Route
West Woods
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Fairly calm conditions for most of the day until about 1:30pm when some wind started kicking up from the East along with some cumulus clouds.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Had some variable surface conditions throughout the day as things warmed up. When I arrived at the parking lot at 0930 the temperature was 25°F and when I returned at 1400 it read at 36°F. Much of the snow with solar effect warmed significantly. There were areas that had only an inch of new snow on a crust and areas where it was shaded proved to be soft with mix of supportability. I observed surface hoar developing in open areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind scouring was obvious on the SW aspect of Tukno and wind loading was apparent on the more polar aspects with some gentle cornice buildup along ridgelines. I observed cracking around my skis near the snow study plot and warming was obvious as solar aspects had already lost much snow by mid day and the road had meltwater running down it on my return trip. I don't have to apprise anyone about our poor snowpack structure but it was both exciting and unnerving to dig a snowpit and see the makeup of the snowpack and how reactive things are on the Northerly aspects.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The new snow is reactive but the real issue is deeper down. I had consistent results on my stability tests around 50cm below the snow surface. Results are included in the attached snowpit.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
25°
Comments
This was my first day (and Laney Dog) up this season and it was wild to see how little coverage we still have. There are plenty of hazards around so be careful out there. The stability tests I performed still showed quite a bit of reactivity within the snowpack. I'm excited to get back out but I will definitely be playing it conservative for the time being and we'll see what happens in the coming weeks. The road was pretty messy and slick by the time I drove down with a good bit of water draining down the roadway.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
