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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
12/31/2018
Observer Name
Dave Garcia
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway > Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Light snow fall all day long. Winds were almost non existent. Temps stayed cold all day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
About six inches of new snow. This latest round on top of last weeks storm and I was finding about 20 inches of fresh in the deepest spots where some drifting also occurred.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Poor snowpack structure remains. No collapsing today. We skied on Upper Elevation SW and S facing slopes.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The new snow seems well bonded on most slopes we crossed today. We had a couple small sluffs run in mid elevation West facing terrain. The sluffs ran about 100 feet or so on terrain just steeper than 30 degrees. Not packing much of a punch right now, but if we continue to receive more snow it will be something to look out for over the next day or two.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Persistent weak layers still exist mid pack. Today we mostly avoided any terrain harboring these layers. We have been receiving small increments of snow, and today's round was pretty low density. This latest round of snow doesn't seem to be increasing the likely hood of triggering persistent weak layers.
Comments
Conditions are great right now. The last few rounds of snow have come without wind. Besides the wind event from the east a few days ago, the weather has not dramatically affected avalanche conditions.
Photo of a small sluff. The ski track goes to the right of the trees, and you can see where the sluff ran to the left of the trees. I dropped in after snapping this photo and triggered another small sluff running about equal distance.
Forecaster comments: Great ob from Garcia as always. Increasing NE winds with snow available for transport are prompting me to up the danger to Considerable today.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate