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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Wednesday morning, January 31, 2018

The avalanche danger is MODERATE but it is still possible to trigger an avalanche on steep terrain that faces NW-N-E above about 11,000' where more than 16" of snow can be found overlying weak, sugary, faceted snow on the ground. Areas of freshly drifted snow can also be found in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. These new wind slabs will add stress to the already dangerous persistent slab problem on upper elevation, northerly aspects, and travelers should avoid steep terrain in these areas.

On south facing, mid and lower elevation terrain the avalanche danger is LOW.

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Special Announcements

Thanks to members of the Winter Search and Rescue Team who turned out for training on Saturday!

Episode 3 of the UAC podcast is live. We talk with UDOT Avalanche Program Supervisor Bill Nalli on how he and his teams keep the Greatest Snow on Earth from avalanching over the open roads and highways of the state. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm sorry to see we've had to cancel our Backcountry 101 classes due to lack of snow.

The UAC Marketplace is online. The holiday auction is closed, but our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.

Weather and Snow

Snow depths are creeping up but we're still not quite there. The mountains received up to 20" of low density snow last week, and though perfect powder, it wasn't great base building material. On Saturday I went up over Geyser Pass and found 25-30" of snow in sheltered areas right around tree line. Sun and wind exposed slopes have considerably less. Chris Bolos was out Sunday and sent in this observation.

Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 16"

Base depth in Gold Basin: 25"

New snow totals in Gold Basin.

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, (9600')

Wind, temperature, and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')

Road conditions to Geyser Pass Trailhead: Snowpacked and passable to most vehicles with good tires. All wheel drive recommended.

Grooming conditions: Matt and Marshall groomed the entire mountain on Saturday including the lower meadows and the Loppet Loop at Geyser Pass.

Took this pic over in Dark Canyon on Saturday. Still thin but getting there!

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

The current snowpack structure is one of the weakest I've seen in years. Collapsing and cracking are still a regular occurrence, and stability tests continue to produce results that indicate unstable snow. Though the snow cover is still very thin, triggering an avalanche on a steep, northerly facing slope around treeline and above, where there is more than about 16" of snow, remains a very real possiblity.

Cracking and collapsing such as this in the weak, shallow snowpack are still a regular occurrence.

Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Blowing and drifting snow has formed stiff wind slabs in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. If stomping around in the high country, be on the lookout for smooth, rounded deposits of wind deposited snow that have a hollow feel or sound to them. On northerly facing aspects, these new wind slabs have added additional stress to underlying persistent weak layers, and a triggered wind slab could step down causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche.

Additional Information


General Announcements

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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 occur.

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