Snowpack

Observation: Moab

SutteerMoab
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Quick report

Red Flags
Wind Loading, Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comment
<p>No cracking/collapsing. No evidence of recent avalanches. Wind evidence is pretty obvious by the amount of rock showing up high so expect loading. Warming will soon provide the usual mixed bag of sun-affected south slopes and malingering facets on the north. </p>

Great riding/skiing at the moment!

Snowpack

Instability Comment
<p>Lots of new snow on old shallow facets especially on the northern aspects--but certainly not limited to north aspects. </p> <p>The wind has been at work and there will likely be lurking wind slab below ridges, in gullies, and other recessed terrain features.</p>

Very light low density snow that is quickly subsiding/consolidating. Despite the warming (into the teens?) the fluff remains light in all but S/SW aspect where a light melt/freeze crust is forming. On those aspects the new snow was slipping off the old shallow sun-baked snowpack when skinning. This was occurring at the warmest/sunniest part of the day. Moderate wind damage in the open on ridgetops yet most open areas below ridges appeared only lightly affected, albeit with loading and quite a lot of wind-pillows.