UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Observation: Moab

Observation Date
1/4/2022
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
La Sals
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Comments
Overflight to survey the 12/31/2021 Avalanche cycle. Winds were pushy out of the northwest-maybe 20-30 knots. What snow was available for transport was streaming from ridges onto SE aspects. #1 The northern end of the range has much less snow. Expect shallow, weak snow in the North group. This shot looks into Willow Basin. You can see the dramatic effects of strong, SW winds, stripping snow and depositing onto NNW and northerly aspects.
#2 Sub-peak off of Tomasaki. Note the different wind-loading patterns; 1st from SW winds and 2nd from NW winds onto this ESE aspect. May be hard to trigger, but certainly a wind slab sitting on top of weak faceted snow.
#3 Mt. Peale, West aspect. Note mostly barren alpine terrain with periodic cross-loaded gullies. Avalanche hazard is largely no-existent where there is no snow, however, look at all those cross-loaded gullies.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates