UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Pre-Laurel Peak

Observation Date
12/5/2013
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab » Laurel Highway » Pre-Laurel Peak
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway to Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Started out clear and cold with temperatures in the single digits. Light winds from SW shifting to more westerly as day progressed. Clouds built and settled in around the peaks later in the day. Forecast for increasing winds aheads of a strom over the weekend.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

10-14" of light to medium density new snow relatively unaffected by the wind, and evenly dispersed by elevation.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
A few new loose snow avalanches as well as isolated soft slab releases were observed on high elevation, N-NE aspects. Soft slabs were pockety in nature and were found on the lee sides of terrain features.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Persistent slabs formed during the November 23-25 storm cycle still remain on upper elevation NE-NW aspects. These slabs are over riding weak faceted weak snow that fell early season.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Isolated soft slabs exist within the new snow on exposed, upper elevation slopes with NW-NE aspects. Surface hoar buried by the new snow has also formed a weak layer at the old snow/new snow interface.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate