Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/1/2022
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Northwoods
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Winds were cranking from the NW and N. Large summit plumes. These winds have superimposed patterns on the mostly southerly winds that occurred during the storm. Large wind drifts and lots of evidence of major wind transport. Observed 2 natural avalanches that probably consisted of wind slab overloading weak, faceted snow on high elevation northerly aspects. Suspect southerly aspects may see some naturals tomorrow due to todays winds and would be prime for human-triggered avalanches.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
Weak snow lurks on the shady aspects. Did not get any cracking or collapsing on todays tour. Could feel weak snow underneath on west through north and northeast aspects, but generally hard to feel while breaking trail as the snow was very supportive and ski pen only about 15 cm.
Comments
Storm snow is skiing fast and still soft below treeline. Ski pen was surprisingly shallow (15cm) and so was the ease of snow machining. Seems like the latest snow is fairly dense and forming a solid midpack to where it is harder to feel and/or effect the weak layers below. Winds were cranking and very confident that touchy wind slabs exists on basically every aspects in the highest elevations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
High
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
High
Coordinates