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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
12/14/2019
Observer Name
Travis Nauman
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Corkscrew NW aspect
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Cold and gray day with wind moving snow in exposed areas. There were a few short periods of snow with one more intense period of Graupel. New accumulation between 10,500 and 11,000 feet was 0.5 - 1". This storm has been pretty disappointing. We need snow!
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
The snow was a mixed package today that was highly dependent on if wind or sun had reached the snow surface. There was a very small amount of new snow that provided a little extra padding in areas with sun crust or wind structure. There was still relatively soft skiable snow on the more sheltered slopes.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Although the wind was transporting snow in exposed areas, there was not much snow to move around. All the old snow has consolidated, so only the small amount (<1") of new snow was blowing, so drifts were not big enough to really worry us. However, we did not get into the alpine where I suspect much more snow might have been drifted. I scoped the alpine and it looked like the wind had been raking things pretty hard, but we didn't get up there to evaluate We hammered on an ECT today and did not get any alarming results (ECTN 29 at 33 cm with irregular fracture with not even a hint of propagation). Despite only being 2 - 2.5', the snowpack is pretty solid and supportable.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Wind has been transporting snow. We only observed small drifts in the high subalpine forest zone, but the alpine may be a different story. We are supposed to have some more new snow and moderate winds in the next 24 hrs, so this could become a more serious problem. Folks should be aware of this potential for increasing potential for wind slab development.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
33°
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates