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Observation: Laurel Highway

Observation Date
3/18/2023
Observer Name
Kelly, Trenbeath
Region
Moab » Laurel Highway
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway- Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
We found wind-affected snow at and below the ridgetops. Southerly facing slopes were a breakable crust and the redeeming skiing was on lower angle protected north-east facing slopes well below the ridgelines. North-east winds had been blowing and drifting surface snow into stiff wind slabs at the ridgetops and starting to sculpt the surface lower on the slope.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Northeast winds along the Pre-Laurel Ridgeline just down from the weather station
Snow Profile
Aspect
Northeast
Elevation
10,100'
Slope Angle
20°
Comments
This snowpit was below treeline on a protected test slope off the access road. Weakest snow was in the new/old storm interface just below the surface. This snow at this elevation was not wind-affected and we could not get propagation on the rounding facets 125cm from the ground. These grains were still visible as a gray layer in the pit wall.
Photo of shallow wind drifts reactive to skis in the lower Middle Cirque
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates