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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
2/8/2021
Observer Name
Charlie Ramser
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Horse Creek
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
On south aspects there was still soft snow above the last melt freeze crust, either soft snow or wind blown snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Wind loading is visible even below treeline. Some recent slide paths have also been redeposited with wind blown snow.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Crusts and facets make our snowpack. Faceting near the ground seems to be bonding a bit - maybe that's just on S aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Wind deposited snow paired with the more recent storm snow has made for a pretty solid slab on top of our faceted and crust layers.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Southwest
Elevation
10,500'
Slope Angle
Unknown
Comments
Total Snow Depth: 100 cm
CT 17 SC @ 20cm from the ground
ECTP 21 @ 45 from the ground
Noticed failure at two different weak layers.
Hard to see in the photo below, in the distance you can see the Upper Horse Creek slide path filling in with mostly wind deposited snow.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates