Observation Date
3/23/2023
Observer Name
Chris Benson
Region
Moab
Location Name or Route
Laurel Hwy
Comments
Took advantage of some clear skies to go see how the snowpack was reacting to ~3.5"SWE and strong SW winds.
Observed 4-5 avalanches, mostly ATL on NE with size D2.5, maybe D3.
It looks like many avalanches ran during the storm and were covered up by snow and wind transport.
ATL, South to West aspects were fairly stripped of snow. NTL, these aspects consisted of old, exposed sun and wind crusts as much of the recent snow had been eroded. Overall, a majority of the snow surface was covered by a grippy rime crust, which skied well but only had 1-3" of Ski pen.
A pit BTL in the Northwood had a Hs of 330cm. The recent storm snow had a few weak interfaces that produces sudden fractures with moderate loading steps and ECTN. No cracking or collapsing.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates