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Observation: Laurel Highway

Observation Date
2/27/2024
Observer Name
Garcia
Region
Moab » Laurel Highway
Location Name or Route
Laurel Highway to Gold Basin
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Pretty windy up there today, but not as bad as originally forecasted. Winds mostly stayed in the moderate range out of the West. When I dropped into the bottom of Gold Basin, the drainage was funneling the winds and they blew out of the North. Skycover transitioned to FEW by the end of my tour and I had some decent visibility.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Another storm under-delivers. We managed to pick up three inches of new snow. The storm was very quick moving and started with mostly graupel. The last inch or so fell as light, fluffy stellars. Three inches and wind can make for a good refresh, and I was able to find great skiing in sheltered trees.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Even the wind was over-forecasted, a bit of a rarity for the La Sals! The winds quickly backed off to the moderate range, but they did blow all day. I observed light to moderate snow transport throughout the day, mostly onto Northerly aspects. Winds were once again swirling and changing direction in the drainage bottoms, and I suspect you could find a rogue drift even on a wind-ward slope (cross-loading).
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Three inches and some wind isn't going to do much to affect our persistent weak layer. I checked out a West facing slope at 11,210'. Nothing too noteworthy about this pit, but I was able to locate that crust/facet combo that has only been popping up on due West aspects. This layer did not react to stability tests today. This layer failed beneath the crust on 2/7 producing two separate avalanches in the mid-funnel and lower funnel. The layer I'm referring to is between 67-74 cm and is easily seen in the photo below.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments
You'll definitely be able to find some sensitive wind drifts on Wednesday. They will be primarily found on NW-N-NE-E facing slopes. With only three inches of new snow available for transport, they won't be very deep, but they will be sensitive. Slopes like the one in the photo below (Noriega's) have obvious signs of loading and could be easily triggered by a skier on Wednesday.
On the drive down I had good vis and saw snow pluming off Pilot Mt.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates