Observation: Moab

Observation Date

4/16/2016

Observer Name

Riley Jordan

Region

Moab

Location Name or Route

Gold Basin

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

West

Wind Speed

Strong

Weather Comments

Unfortunately, the storm didn't bring the higher snowfall totals we were hoping for. It was mostly cloudy, windy and cold until the sun came out around noon. Once the sun broke, snow on Gold Basin Rd/trailhead began melting quickly and temperatures fluctuated significantly with the scattered cloud cover. From our location, winds seem to be coming from the east to southeast but I am confident that this was a product of swirling winds in the canyon.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Melt-Freeze Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

Snow was pretty sticky but hadn't bonded well with the melt-freeze crust below. Skiing ranged from not good to bad on northernly slopes, below tree line.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Red Flags Comments

Didn't see any avalanches but high winds, throughout the storm, have mostly likely created pockets of unstable snow on leeward slopes.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Same

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #2 Comments

Warming temps over the next week could create some good corn conditions but as temps increase, so will the potential for wet slab slides.

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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