UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
11/19/2015
Observer Name
Trenbeath
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Gold Basin Study Plot
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Warm, sunny and calm. High temps in low 40's at GPTH at 9600' mid 30's at Gold Basin Study Plot at 10,000' and high 20's on Pre Laurel at 11,700'
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments

6-10" of snow fell on Tuesday. SW winds on Wed worked the snow over pretty good in exposed locations even below treeline. Dense powder conditions remain in sheltered areas. Snow surface getting damp today on sun exposed slopes.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Stiff wind slabs formed in exposed terrain. Snow from the storm event of 16-17, is sitting on top of surface hoar formed after the storm event of Nov 10-11. Compression test results produced easy sheer of CT3 Q2 but with no propagation on this layer. Will likely become problematic with the addition of more snow /cohesive slab. A faceted layer also exists between the late Oct and early Nov storms. Basal facets are present in the bottom 4" of the snowpack.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments

Due to the presence of weak layers in the snowpack, persistent slab is the primary concern. Future snow events will likely have an effect on the buried surface hoar layer. It may also still be possible to trigger a slab on the deeper faceted layers in the snowpack, though the situation seems to have relaxed for the time being.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments

Stiff wind slabs exist in exposed areas on slopes with a NW-N- E aspect primarily above treeline. They have had several days to gain strength, but it still may be possible to trigger one in steep, heavily featured terrain.

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