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Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, December 7, 2025

Saturday's wind event has increased the likelihood for human triggered avalanches on freshly wind loaded slopes. The most likely areas to find trouble will be on steep, north through east through southeast facing slopes fresh deposits of wind-drifted snow have accumulated accumulate on top of weak, sugary, faceted snow. Cracking is a sign of instability. Overall coverage is quite thin, and the avalanche danger will be largely isolated to areas with the deepest and most continuous snow cover. Even a small avalanche can have consequences in low snow conditions.

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

SAVE THE DATES!

Saturday, December 13 - 4th Annual Moab Winter Kickoff Party at the MARC. Bring your skis or board to wax, listen to live music, and bring in another winter season with our local community. Tickets are available now.

Friday, January 30 - Saturday, January 31 - Moab Backcountry 101 Class - Our annual local backcountry avalanche class. Click here for information and registration. Moab and Monticello locals can use the discount code MOAB-LOCAL for a 10% discount.

Weather and Snow
Northwest winds have been on a rampage since mid morning yesterday averaging 30-40 mph with gusts to 76 mph on Abajo Peak. Under sunny skies, they'll back off today and shift to westerly averaging 5-10 mph along ridge tops. High temperatures today will be in the mid to upper 20's. The upcoming week looks warm and dry as high pressure off the southern California coast keeps the jet stream well to the north. Look for steadily increasing temperatures each day with mountain highs reaching the mid 30's later in the week.
Click here to read observations from the Abajo Mountains
NWS forecast for the Abajo Mountains.
Wind speed and direction on Abajo Peak.
Snow totals and temps at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals and temps at Camp Jackson (8858')
Additional Information

It's never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:

  • Learn online. We have over 5 hours of free online learning at the Know Before You Go website
  • Check out the upcoming in-person Know Before You Go events HERE
  • Sign up for an on-snow class
  • Check out the UAC's education progression HERE
  • Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and updating the firmware if it is an electric version or getting your canister refilled if it's not electronic.
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.