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Observation: Talking Mountain Cirque

Observation Date
2/5/2024
Observer Name
Garcia
Region
Moab » Gold Basin » Talking Mountain Cirque
Location Name or Route
Gold Basin, Talking Mt Cirque
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
South
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Strong Southerly winds aloft resulted in clear skies at times going to broken throughout the day. Wind speeds were MOD down in the valley bottoms.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
The surface snow is still really nice, even on West faces. It seems only the most Solar aspects were affected by yesterday's strong sun. Exposed slopes are wind affected and have some breakable wind crusts, but many Northerly aspects still offer great skiing.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Old news, but it was a good day for avalanche viewing. I went up to take a closer look at the recent slides on Tukno and in Talking Mt Cirque. Wind speeds on the ridges were on the upper end of Moderate, approaching Strong at times, and I observed plenty of blowing and drifting snow. Northerly aspects were being actively loaded today further stressing our PWL problem child. A pit on a West aspect below treeline shows stubborn pit results (ECTX), but poor structure remains.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
I can let the recent avalanches do most of the talking here. Our PWL is obviously still very sensitive. Northerly aspects NTL and ATL were actively loading today and snow will continue to blow and drift tonight. Additional loading from snowfall will start Tuesday night.
I checked out the snow on a West facing slope BTL at 10,300 Ft. There is a thick, dense slab above the weak layer making it hard to affect and I got an ECTX. Also notice the hardness of the facets at 4F+ in the top of the weak layer. These are good signs, but the structure remains poor. There is still a slab on a weak layer with a persistent grain type. The weak layer is only 77 cm below the surface. We know this structure is producing avalanches, as evidenced by the recent natural avalanche breaking down to the PWL on a West face in Talking Mt. Cirque.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
The danger for triggering soft slabs of wind-drifted snow is increasing on Northerly aspects NTL, and ATL. There is plenty of soft snow available for transport, and the strong Southerly winds look like they will continue to blow ahead of the incoming storm.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates