Observation: Moab

Observation Date
3/22/2019
Observer Name
Michael Janulaitis
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Manns Peak area
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Melt-Freeze Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
West winds picked up in the afternoon and started blowing snow around. Slabs formed in the alpine between my laps.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The new snow has several density inversions and was cracking under my feet while I was skinning.
Comments
After battling the road which has a solid foot of soft slippery junk on top ice which is in need of a front loader I finally got out and up on the mountain. I found 16" of powder in the drainage up to Manns Peak but out in the open the depth is more like 12". My compression tests were failing on the new snow with about 13 taps but the new snow was just falling apart. No slab...yet and my tests showed good bonding. That said I remained in the low angle alpine and trees all afternoon/early evening. Snow rates were intense at times, 3" an hour but they were more like summer thunder showers coming and going, cells. New snow during the day was about 4 inches above 11k. Total snow depth at 11.25k south west facing was just over three meters. Tomorrow should be great assuming the wind doesn't have it's way this evening. The pic below is of a very small soft wind slab and widespread natural sluffs on a very steep NE facing aspect.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable