Observation Date
1/4/2014
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway-North Woods
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
As Brad Mickeljohn used to say, "All huff and puff but no fluff." Moderate to strong winds, averaging 25 and gusting near 40 above treeline, maybe 10 mph less below. Low cloud ceiling but breaking up at times. Some blowing snow, trace accumulation.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The usual mixed bag for these long periods of no snow. Spacial variability best describes the overall snow pack. Some wind and and sun exposed areas show bare ground. Sheltered mid elevations have about 2 feet of faceted snow. Upper elevation snow depths are dependent on aspect, and exposure to wind. High, north facing ridge tops have lost significant amounts of snow due to to northerly winds, but just down slope 100' or so,120 centimeters of snow can be found. General snow depths range from 20"-40".
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Snow pack is almost entirely taken over by facets in sheltered, mid elevation areas. Upper mid elevation, northerly aspects contain a variety of layers including buried surface hoar, consolidated snow, and crust/facet sandwhiches. Depth hoar exists at the ground, but persistent slabs are breaking down.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Persistent slabs still exist in areas of deeper snow pack, but they are losing their energy, and are being broken down by the faceting process.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Loose facet avalanches are more likely as the mid elevation snow pack continues to deteriorate.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
11,200'
Slope Angle
28°
Comments
SST produced clean, moderate shear at upper most buried surface hoar layer. SST also produced clean but stubborn, moderate shear on buried, upper-mid level facet layer. CT produced no results at this layer. CT did produce failure at depth hoar level, C14 Q3.
Photos taken on 1-2-14 illustrate variability in coverage.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
