UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: La Sal Mountains

Observation Date
12/19/2013
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab » La Sal Mountains
Location Name or Route
Cork Screw Glade
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cooling trend throughout the day.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

Mixed bag of snow conditions, wind and sun crusts, re-crystallized powder and surface facets. Low coverage on approach with patches of bare ground on southerly aspects.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snowpack is deteriorating with faceting occurring at all levels.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments

Persistent slab remains the only real problem at this time though in many areas, it too is being broken down by the faceting process. As a result, it is becoming more and more of an isolated problem, mostly on upper elevation slopes with northerly aspects.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Loose snow slides could become a problem due to the faceting occurring throughout the pack, though I have yet to observe any such avalanche.

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