Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Wednesday, January 16, 2019
DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS WILL EXIST FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL DAYS! The avalanche danger is HIGH today as new snow and wind drifted are dangerously overloading a fragile snowpack. Natural and human triggered avalanches breaking 2'-4' deep are likely on steep slopes that face NW-N-E. The danger will be greatest in wind exposed terrain above tree line but could extend down into areas below. The danger will become more widespread by Thursday, and extend into the weekend. Backcountry travelers need to possess excellent route finding skills and know how to stay off of, and out from under, steep, avalanche prone terrain.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche course on Feb 8, 9. It's a great way to up your avalanche knowledge with both classroom, and hands on field instruction. Click here for more details and to register.
The new UAC IOS mobile app is now available on the app store. Check out the new "My Weather" feature.
Check out the new free online avalanche course series developed by the Utah Avalanche Center. This is a great way to refresh your skills or prepare you for a Backcountry 101 or Level 1 class.
Weather and Snow
The mountains are socked in this morning! Webcam image courtesy of Kevin Dressel.
8" of new snow has fallen at Buckboard Flat with likely a foot of new snow up high. Moderate to strong SE winds blew yesterday evening and into the nigh. They've since swung around to the SW and have backed off into the 10-15 mph range with gusts to 25. Light snow will continue through about noon with another 2" possible. We'll see breezy westerly winds, with gusts into the 30's along ridge tops. High temps will be in the mid 20's. Things will begin to dry out this afternoon before the next storm moves into the area on Thursday.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')
National Weather Service point forecast.
Recent Avalanches
The Abajo Mountains experienced a significant round of both human triggered and natural avalanche activity last week. Expect another round this week as new snow accumulates.
General Announcements
Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations HERE. You can also call me at 801-647-8896, or send me an email: [email protected].
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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 occur.