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| Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains | Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - December 7, 2015 - 7:21am |
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bottom line Due to the thin snow cover the avalanche danger is generally LOW at this time. But low danger doesn't mean no danger and there are areas where isolated, stiff wind slabs have formed over the weak, underlying snow, primarily on slopes with a N-NE-E aspect. These slabs exist on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls, and if triggered could possibly take you for a bumpy ride.
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special announcement The Utah Avalanche Center Moab has begun issuing weekend advisories for the Abajo / Blue Mountains. General information will be provided during the week. |
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current conditions Snow cover is quite thin offering little in the way of riding options beyond the road. There is about 8" on the ground at Dalton Springs and just over 2 feet near Cooley Pass. Wind and sun have taken their toll on the snow surface in exposed locations, and in some cases we are back down to bare ground. Read this observation for more detailed information. Winds, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak. Snow totals at Buckboard Flat.
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| type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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LIKELIHOOD
 LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
 LARGE
SMALL
TREND
 INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
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description
There may still be a few isolated, stiff wind slabs have formed on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in wind exposed terrain primarily on slopes that face N-NE-E. In most cases, they are too shallow to be much of a problem but they are overlying very weak, faceted snow , and in some cases it may be possible to trigger one in more extreme terrain and have it take you for a very bumpy ride.
Areas of wind drifted snow have formed on the lee sides of these gully walls.
This cornice, and the smooth rounded pillow beneath it are indicators of wind drifted snow and hence, a potentially dangerous wind slab. If this situation was identified on a larger slope, it would warrant some serious caution.
Wind slabs are overlying weak, sugary, facted snow. |
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weather A mostly dry and zonal flow will affect our area through Wednesday before shifting to southwesterly ahead of a complex weather system that will move into the Great Basin by late Wednesday. This initial system looks like it mainly affect areas to the north, but what follows may be a change in the overall pattern. Today Sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind around 5 mph. Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind around 5 mph becoming north northwest after midnight. Tuesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph after midnight. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southwest in the morning. Wednesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Thursday Mostly sunny, with a high near 44. Thursday Night A slight chance of rain before 11pm, then a chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Breezy. Friday A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 32. |
| general announcements This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist. |
