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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/23/2020
Observer Name
Garcia/Bolos
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Funnel
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Sky was obscured for the early part of the day. Sun came out in the early afternoon. Almost went full bluebird, and then the clouds came back to finish off the day. South and West slopes got some sun exposure for maybe an hour.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface snow is medium density. Cold and fast in the trees. Today was warm and the snow got a little sun. Snow on open slopes is starting to get a little heavier from the warm temps, especially down low.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
1. Another avalanche ran in Tele Gold, most likely late in the day on 1/21. This is the third time this season this path has run. It ran during the Thanksgiving cycle, 12/27 storm, and 1/21. Repeater paths are not to be trusted! 2. The new snow came with moderate winds and fresh drifts are widespread in the upper elevations. 3. We exprienced isolated cracking today on NW aspects in the Funnel Trees. 4. I experienced whoomphing in the Funnel Trees while crossing from the skiers left side back to the skiers right side above a big, steep gully. 5. Poor snowpack structure exists on southerly aspects ID'd yesteday, did not investigate today.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Fresh drifts can be found on all aspects up high. This problem is compounded by the weak surface snow that formed prior to this storm. Wind drifts seem more active when they are on top of this weak, faceted snow. Our last real snow was 12/27 and the upper part of the snow pack has weakened since then. The distribution of this weak snow, now buried, seems pretty variable. Even on the same slope, you might find weak faceted snow in one quick hand pit, and then a couple hundred feet away it's not there.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
The new snow is also putting stress on the weak surface snow that formed prior to the storm. Above I mentioned how varied the distribution of this weak snow is. With how varied this problem is I think each slope needs to be carefully evaluated before commiting.
Photo 1: A short, steep rollover that failed when I skied next to it. You can see my ski track in the far side of the photo. I didn't notice this failure until the skin back up. 2: This is the same slope, about a foot deep. 3. A shot of the facets under the slab that moved on this steep roll. These were large grained facets, 2mm plus. I was pretty alarmed to see facets this big here. Super weak snow in this spot. Aspect here is 312 (NW). 4. Hand shear tests varied from easy to moderate. Easy shears were on top of loose, faceted snow. Moderate shears were on top of crusts, where the new snow formed a better bond. 5. A look across at the Tele Gold avalanche from 1/21.
Things seem pretty complicated out there right now. Weak snow exists in several areas, while in other places it's just not there. The distribution is really varied. Bottom line is it's gonna take some digging before commiting to steep slopes.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates