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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Friday, March 22, 2024
The avalanche danger is generally LOW. Small avalanches are possible on isolated terrain features or in areas of extreme terrain.
As the day heats up, be alert to signs of wet instability such as roller balls and pinwheels on sun exposed slopes. Stay off of, and out from under steep slopes if theses signs are present.
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High
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Special Announcements
Road Conditions: The Geyser Pass Road was plowed on Monday 3/18. It gets pretty sloppy and muddy later in the day.
Grooming: Ranger Ben groomed all trails on Wednesday. Lots of traffic over soft snow has made them pretty rough.
***Support the UAC website rebuild by donating to our spring campaign. Save lives by making a donation today! HERE
Catch the Banff Mountain Film Festival tonight at Star Hall. For tickets and information visit our event page.
Weather and Snow
6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 168" Depth at Gold Basin 60"
Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NW 15-20 Temp 24° F Percent of Normal: 117%
Weather
Winds from the NW have been on the increase overnight. Look for mostly clear skies this morning with clouds developing this afternoon as a shortwave disturbance passes by to the north. High temps at 10,000' will be near 40F. Winds will shift to the SW on Saturday and start cranking up ahead of a decent looking storm system. Skies will be mostly cloudy tomorrow with wind speeds up to 40 mph. Snowfall should begin sometime Saturday night with 6"-8" possible through Sunday. Unsettled weather continues through next week.
General Conditions
March conditions are in full effect and you can find a little bit of everything out there right now. Local observer Sam Van Wetter was out and about yesterday and he reported both melt- freeze and wind crusts, as well as some loose, wet avalanche activity in the afternoon. He also found good skiing on upper elevation, northerly aspects. Over the past several days people have been pushing further into the high country without incident, and human triggered avalanches are unlikely at this time.
For a look at general conditions and a review of the last storm and avalanche cycle, check out the video below from our tour on Wednesday.
Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')
Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')
NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.
Recent Avalanches
Some loose, wet avalanche activity continues to be observed, primarily on westerly aspects in the heat of the afternoon. Other than that, it's been nearly a week since the last avalanche cycle produced widespread natural activity primarily involving wind drifted snow. Two, repeat running avalanche paths failed on basal facets near the ground including this avalanche in Horse Creek.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Low danger doesn't mean no danger and normal caution means you needs to remain alert to the potential for isolated avalanche problems.
  • With warm temperature and a strong March sun, loose wet avalanches remain a possibility on sun exposed slopes. Be alert to signs of wet instability such as roller balls and pinwheels on sun exposed slopes. Stay off of, and out from under steep slopes if theses signs are present.
  • A weak layer of faceted snow is still popping up in isolated areas. This layer is about two feet below the surface, and it exists in steep, sparsely treed, north-facing terrain near treeline and below. The distribution of this layer is spotty at best, but backcountry travelers should exercise caution when entering steep loosely treed slopes.
  • Remain on the lookout for older, stiff slabs in the high country, especially in areas of steep, radical terrain where even a small avalanche can have extreme consequences.
Additional Information
Want some more insight into the La Sal Mountains as well as the communal impacts of a tragic avalanche? Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Eric Trenbeath where he discusses the range, it's often treacherous snowpack, and how the devastating avalanche in February, 1992, affected the Moab community.
Our avalanche beacon checker sign and beacon training park are up and running. A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts for sponsoring those this season!
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General Announcements
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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