UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Saturday, December 6, 2014

Due to low snow conditions, a generally LOW avalanche danger is present at this time. Isolated persistent slabs, overlying weak faceted snow, can be found on mid-upper elevation slopes with a NE-NW aspect. Suspect areas of obvious wind deposition such as gullies and on the lee sides of terrain features.

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Weather and Snow

Mountain weather conditions at 11,700' on Pre-Laurel Peak.

Snow totals at Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Steamy was how I can best describe my day in the mountains yesterday. Low clouds and fog, along with 2" of dense, wet snow made me feel as though I were wandering around the mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Overall, we picked up 3-4" of snow this week which has done little to improve conditions. Warm temperatures accompanied the precipitation with the rain snow line creeping up to near 9000 ft. Fortunately for us, we have a high mountain range, and most of the skiing and riding takes place above 9500'. Winds on Friday were very light shifting from the WSW to NE, but about midnight last night, they shifted to the SW and have been blowing in the 20-30 mph range. It is currently 20 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak, and a balmy 33 at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Overall coverage is thin to say the least. Winds and warm temperatures have significantly diminished and weakened the early season snowpack that developed over the course of three storms in November. Upper elevation, wind exposed terrain has been scoured down to the rocks, and sun exposed slopes are melted off. Wooded areas are too thinly covered for safe travel. Best bet for winter recreation right now is for cross country skiing or snowmobiling on the Geyser Pass Road which is snowpacked and covered. There is currently 10" of snow on the ground at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and 22" in Gold Basin.

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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
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Description

The recent snow will not have affected the avalanche danger though isolated, persistent slabs exist on northerly upper mid elevation slopes. These slabs overly weak faceted snow that has formed over the past month. You will be hard pressed to find and trigger one of these slabs, but if you are in the right spot, you could trigger one and take an extremely rough ride over barely covered rocks. These stiff slabs exist as isolated pockets and can be found in areas of likely deposition such as gullies and on the lee sides of terrain features. They are fairly easy to identify and are characterized by a stiff hollow feel. Suspect areas in the wind zone that have greater snow cover.

Additional Information

An approaching Pacific trough will move into our area later today. Expect light precipitation and a chance for a couple more inches of snow in the mountains today. Sunday looks to be clear and sunny as ridging develops for the rest of the week.

Today: Snow likely, mainly after 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 36. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tonight: Snow likely, mainly before 3am. Cloudy during the early evening, then gradual clearing, with a low around 23. West wind around 10 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 38. North northeast wind around 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.

Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 30. West northwest wind around 5 mph becoming south after midnight.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 42. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming north northwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 23.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 37.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Breezy.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy.

General Announcements

There will be a volunteer trail grooming clinic sponsored by the Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA), in partnership with the Manti-La Sal National Forest, on Saturday, December 13. A one hour session at 8:00 a.m. at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center will be followed by hands on instruction at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. For more information contact Kirsten Peterson at 435-260-0042.

This advisory will be updated on Saturday, December 6.