Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation NEW - Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Dory Canyon

Observation Date
1/20/2024
Observer Name
Nauman
Region
Moab » Dory Canyon
Location Name or Route
Noriega's Backside
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Warm air temp with moderate to strong winds out of the south.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was plenty of soft snow from the mid-week refresh. South faces were raked by the wind though.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
We experienced collapsing throughout the day, particularly in the 9000-9600 elevation band on west aspects. Could feel facets at bottom of snowpack almost everywhere when testing with pole probing. The warm temperatures got the snow a bit wet and sticky by the end of the day and some very small pockets pulled out on the north aspect above Brumley creek on the tour out, which was surprising.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
Facets are everywhere
Comments
Still low tide on Corkscrew and Dory
Wind raked southern shoulder of Noriegas
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable