Observation Date
2/11/2019
Observer Name
Tomasz Stefankowski
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Weather Comments
Overnight winds were strong but disappeared in the early morning, and in Gold Basin it didn't appear to start snowing until the wind died down.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Woke up to a foot of cold smoke. On solar aspects that had a crust prior to the new snow the old surface was easily felt underneath my skis. On northerly aspects that had a soft surface riding felt bottomless.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Point releases and slabs were observed from a distance, presumably naturals from overnight. Winds did not effect the new snow at mid elevations and in sheltered areas, but ridges and peaks had visible snow transport.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
In sheltered trees, cracking in the new snow was observed, apparent precursors to longer running natural sluffs. In steeper rollovers sluffs were easily provoked but did not run far given the generally low angle terrain we skied in. Driving down from the trailhead a large point release was observed that ran at least a couple hundred feet, although its magnitude was tough to determine from such a distance. We found settlement cones in the sunny aspens and imagine the new snow will settle quickly.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
No surprise here. Given the low density of the new snow I can't imagine storm snow will be enough to trigger a slide deeper down in the snowpack, but with so much light snow available for transport I would be very concerned about wind slabs triggering a slide in buried weak layer.
Comments
Stopping to dig a pit was challenging today, as the quality of skiing was enough to discourage stepping off the skintrack. Nonetheless we made time to dig a quick pit and our findings are in line with what has been recorded throughout the year. Buried facets and crust beneath a cohesive slab. HS at 10,100 ft on a N aspect was 180cm. New snow was sitting on a thin wind skin that was not noted in the thick sheltered trees.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
