Observation: Laurel Highway

Observation Date

3/18/2026

Observer Name

Ryan Huels

Region

Moab » Laurel Highway

Location Name or Route

Laurel Highway

Weather

Sky

Clear

Wind Direction

Northwest

Wind Speed

Light

Weather Comments

Clear skies, light winds and warm temperatures around 42 degrees in the late morning and increasing throughout the day. The same continues with warmer temperatures and no freezing temperatures at night as the heat dome settles in over the Southwest. High pressure looks to dominate with little to no relief in sight looking at the extended forecast.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions

Faceted Loose

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Everything from soft snow on high elevation northerlies to wind crusts, melt freeze crusts, damp spring like snow on southerlies and even dirt. The snow surface is haggard and I found the best turning to be corn on SE and SW facing aspects. However, with warm temperatures and no solid freezing overnight that looks like it will come to an end.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

It feels and looks like May, but digging down on a NW facing aspects NTL shows poor snowpack structure with weak faceted layers still exists. W facing aspects NTL show several stout MF crusts with weak faceted snow below. I did observe the toe of what looked to be a wet loose avalanche NTL on SW facing terrain in Talking Mountain Cirque. Increasing concerns for rising danger with wet loose avalanches and even wet slab avalanches as the week continues with warming temperatures.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

Warm temperatures without overnight refreezing leading to concerns for a rising danger for wet loose and wet slab avalanches.

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

While hard to trigger, persistent weak layers still exist on North facing aspects.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northwest

Elevation

11,300'

Slope Angle

17°

Comments

Snow pit on a NW facing aspect NTL showing poor snowpack structure.

Snow pit on a W facing aspect NTL showing more stout MF crusts with weak snow below. Concerns as temperatures increase and water moves down through the snow this week.

Toe of a wet loose avalanche on SW facing terrain in Talking Mountain Cirque.

A look at our N facing terrain in Gold Basin prior to the heat dome.

Skiing good corn on disappearing slivers of hope in SE facing terrain. Bare S facing terrain. And, a good look at the poor winter we’ve had as things bloom in the sun at 10000’

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

Coordinates

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