UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
Heads up, increasing avalanche danger over the next 24 hours!
The avalanche danger is MODERATE this morning but could reach CONSIDERABLE later today. New and wind drifted snow is beginning to pile up on a variety of old and weak snow surfaces. Backcountry travelers need to be alert to changing conditions today. Be suspicious of steep slopes that have more than about 6" of new snow and avoid steep slopes with fresh deposits of wind drifted snow.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
The mountains picked up about 3" of snow last night with perhaps an inch or two more up high. SE winds yesterday blew in the 25-30 mph range with gusts of 35-40. They shifted to the WSW around 7:00 p.m. and backed off slightly after midnight. Today we'll see a lull in the action before the next, deeper low pressure system dives south over Nevada and then Utah later today. We should see continued off and on snow showers today with 3"-5" inches possible. The real action kicks in overnight with up to a foot of new snow when it's all said and done by Wed.
Snow totals and temps at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals and temps at Camp Jackson (8858')
Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
During this long period of high pressure, the snowpack has become loose, weak, and faceted. In some areas, this weak snow has formed near the surface, while in others it makes up the entire snowpack. With the addition of recent and wind drifted snow, these weak facets are now buried and are acting as persistent weak layer. For now, the likelihood and consequences of triggering an avalanche on his weak layer are small, but with more snow and wind in the forecast, expect the danger to increase on steep, northerly facing slopes over the next several days.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Sensitive shallow wind drifts are beginning to develop along the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features, primarily in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Unstable drifts will become deeper and more widespread over the next 24 hours. Recent wind drifts are recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance and cracking is a sign of instability. Recent drifts also ass stress to underlying, weak and sugary, facted snow. Avoid steep slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow.
General Announcements
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This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.