UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Monday, November 23, 2015

There still remains an isolated, or MODERATE danger for triggering a persistent slab on slopes steeper than 35 degrees with a NW-N-E aspect. This danger is most likely in areas of rocky and more radical terrain, where a stiff slab overlies underlying weak layers. Elsewhere the avalanche danger is generally LOW.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

This is advisory is based on field work performed, and observations received over the weekend of Nov. 21, 22, and is to be used as a guideline for forming your own danger analysis. Avalanche conditions can change rapidly and backcountry users need to be aware of changing weather weather conditions and how they affect snow stability. Use the weather links under current conditions for the most up to date information.

Weather and Snow

The snow surface is getting tired and worn from the effects of wind, sun and warm temperatures. Settled powder conditions can still be found in sheltered areas but remember that it is still a shallow, early season snow pack and many obstacles such as stumps, rocks, and dead fall lurk beneath the surface.

Base depth in Gold Basin: 32"

Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 22"

Winds, temperature and humidity on Pre-Laurel Peak

New snow totals, temperature and humidity in Gold Basin

Total snow depth and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead

Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

A few key, persistent weak layers exist in the snow pack at this time. Snow that fell last week is now sitting on top of a layer of surface hoar. Stability tests produced easy sheers in this weak layer that will become more problematic when we get more snow. Additionally, there is a mid-level layer of faceted snow as well as a few inches of depth hoar at the ground level. It may be possible to trigger a deeper persistent slab on one of these buried weak layers on slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have a NW-N-NE aspect, right around tree line and above. Backcountry riders should continue to approach these slopes with caution.



Additional Information

A flat ridge will move over the forecast area today with continued dry, sunny and seasonable temperatures. By Tuesday, a southwest flow sets up over the region ushering in a weak Pacific storm system that will affect our area on Wed into Thu. This storm appears to be lacking in moisture and snow amounts look minimal.

Today

Sunny, with a high near 29. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming southwest in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 19. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Tuesday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Tuesday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Windy, with a south southwest wind around 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Windy, with a south wind 30 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

Wednesday Night

A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 11. Breezy.

Thanksgiving Day

A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 20.

Thursday Night

A chance of snow, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10.

Friday

A slight chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 19.

General Announcements

The Road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead is plowed but with patches of mud, ice and packed snow.

Thanks for sending in your observations. You can view Moab observations here. To post an observation go here.

To receive this advisory by email go here.

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.