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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
12/27/2018
Observer Name
Dave Garcia
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway > Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The day started partly cloudy. Clouds were building all day and light snow started around noon. About an inch of accumulation by 4 PM. Cold temperatures at the TH at the end of the day. If snow continues, it should be light density.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
10"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Snow surface remains excellent with 6-10 inches of fresh.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Recent natural activity is the biggest red flag right now. I did not observe any new natural activity since yesterday's reported slides. It seems any natural activity was confined to North and East facing slopes that received the most wind loading. The 6-10 inches of storm snow doesn't seem like it is enough weight on it's own to cause any failures on buried persistent weak layers. It took that extra bit of wind load to make anything run. Poor snowpack structure remains anywhere that wasn't stripped by wind or melted off by sun prior to the storm. The storm snow came in warm and it seems well bonded to any sun or wind crusts.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
The storm snow on the night of the 25th came with a bit of wind. Yesterday it was obvious that North and East facing slopes were pretty well loaded. Winds were calm both yesterday and today and no new drifts were formed.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Today we traveled on upper elevation slopes facing SW, W, and NW. I experienced one collapse on a NW facing slope around 11,400 ft. We covered a good bit of terrain and did not experience any other collapsing or cracking. In areas that are not wind loaded, our buried facets seem to be handling the new load of snow ok.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate