Observation: Funnel

Observation Date

1/5/2026

Observer Name

Ryan Huels

Region

Moab » Laurel Highway » Funnel

Location Name or Route

The Funnel

Weather

Sky

Overcast

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

Low clouds and visibility all day near and above tree line with moderate winds out of the SW with strong gusts up to 30mph. Snow was actively being transported onto leeward slopes throughout the day and tracks were constantly filled. Off and on light snow fall with short bursts of heavy snow. It was hard to tell with the wind, but very little snow accumulated during the day. A mostly sunny and warm Tuesday on tap followed by dropping temperatures and chance of snowfall Wednesday-Thursday as a system comes from the north. Then, a long period of high pressure and clear/sunny skies.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Wind Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Snow Characteristics Comments

The new snow seems to have settled into 4-6” of floaty, fast and supportable snow for turning near and below treeline. Above treeline and on ridges the snow is affected by weather with a mix of soft snow, hard wind affected snow, and a thin rime/wind crust. The wind was actively moving snow around all day, filling in tracks and transporting onto NW-NE-E aspects. I found soft and fun turns on S/SE, W and NE facing aspects. SE aspects are still thin, and SW/W aspects were soft but more wind affected nearing treeline. Overall, conditions were the best of the season and the Christmas rain crust was still supportable for travel and turning.

Red Flags

Wind Loading

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Wind loading onto NW-N-E aspects throughout the day. Poor snowpack structure still exists on northerly aspects with weak, faceted snow underneath the Christmas rain crust. The snowpack wasn’t talking much today and I only observed isolated cracking involving wind affected snow.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wind Drifted Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Problem #1 Comments

New and wind drifted snow loaded northerly aspects with winds out of the SW today and will continue to do so the upcoming days. Weak snow still exists here and it is difficult to tell how much of a load the rain crust will be able to support

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

Persistent Weak Layer

Trend

Same

Snow Profile

Aspect

West

Elevation

11,300'

Slope Angle

27°

Comments

A snow pit at 11330 on W facing terrain just above treeline with no propagation results in an extended column test. Snow depths ranged from 45-55cm here.

Thin conditions on S/SE aspects along with isolated protected areas on the same aspect with deep drifts up to 2+ feet.

Isolated cracking from the wind affected snow