UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/1/2015
Observer Name
Ed Oak, Jason Keith
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Funnel
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Light snowfall and light winds have improved skiing conditions. Surface wind slabs on NW slopes are getting covered.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
25-30 cm of faceted 1-2mm crystals at ground, isolated wind slabs.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Not that deep. snowpack is still shallow. Our pit was about 105 cm. isolated column shears were in top 50 cm and required 15-20 solid hand compressions.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Not always where you would expect to find it.
Snow Profile
Aspect
West
Elevation
11,300'
Slope Angle
27°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate