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Observation: Moab

Observation Date
11/4/2022
Observer Name
T. Matthews
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway to Coyote Chutes
Weather
Sky
Clear
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Early morning light S-1 snowfall gave way to clear skies by late morning. Almost no wind to speak of in the terrain we visited today. Very light snow transport visible coming off the highest peaks.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
8"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Nice dry powder surface snow. Was hoping for more, but we will take what we get. Still low tide out there.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Red Flags Comments
Recent dry loose avalanches, but confined to the steepest alpine terrain. Likely some wind slabs up there as well. Did noticed as seen in photo of Tuk what looks like two small dry loose avalanches that pulled out a small slab.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Public daily forecast have not yet begun, but my number 1 concern would be triggering a wind slab avalanche in terrain above treeline where the wind has moved snow into more dense slabs over softer/weaker snow. This trend will increase if the winds continue to blow now that there is more new snow available for transport.
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northwest
Elevation
11,300'
Slope Angle
27°
Comments
Height of snow or HS was only 60cm where I dug on a NNW aspect at 11.3k. It's still shallow out there folks. At this location there is a small breakable crust that was the surface from the Oct 23rd storm and is not buried about 8-10 inches deep. Below the crust there are small grain facets forming, and with time I would assume there will be facet growth above the crust as well. A compression test showed me that I could initiate failure below the crust on small grained facets, but could not get propagation in an ECT due to the overlying slab being too soft. I think this layer in the future could be a problem.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates