UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
12/16/2015
Observer Name
Sutteer
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Funnel & Nor Woods
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Sunny day with nice warming in the afternoon. Light ridge-top winds. Watched a slow building bank of low-level clouds in the afternoon. Light flurries for the ski out just after sunset, rendering the moonlight to nil.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Very light low density snow that is quickly subsiding/consolidating. Despite the warming (into the teens?) the fluff remains light in all but S/SW aspect where a light melt/freeze crust is forming. On those aspects the new snow was slipping off the old shallow sun-baked snowpack when skinning. This was occurring at the warmest/sunniest part of the day. Moderate wind damage in the open on ridgetops yet most open areas below ridges appeared only lightly affected, albeit with loading and quite a lot of wind-pillows.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No cracking/collapsing. No evidence of recent avalanches. Wind evidence is pretty obvious by the amount of rock showing up high so expect loading. Warming will soon provide the usual mixed bag of sun-affected south slopes and malingering facets on the north.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Lots of new snow on old shallow facets especially on the northern aspects--but certainly not limited to north aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
The wind has been at work and there will likely be lurking wind slab below ridges, in gullies, and other recessed terrain features.
Comments
Great riding/skiing at the moment!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate