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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Monday morning, November 25, 2024
Storm Alert! Expect an increasing avalanche danger on Tuesday!
Snow cover is thin and variable and there isn't currently much of a threat for avalanches. Expect a rising avalanche danger on Tuesday as heavy snow begins to pile up on the weak and fragile, underlying snowpack.

Rocks, trees, and stumps pose serious hazards and recreating off of snow covered roads is not recommended.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
We have several events coming up to kick off the winter season:
Thursday, December 5 - FREE Know Before You Go avalanche awareness talk 6 PM at the Grand County Public Library
Saturday, December 7 - 17th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) - Information and tickets available here.
Saturday, December 14 - 3rd Annual UAC Moab/LUNA Winter Kickoff Party, 6 PM at the MARC. Information and tickets available here.
Weather and Snow
I got out over the weekend to have a look at the snowpack before the incoming storm and found widely variable snow conditions and coverage but with one common theme - it's all pretty weak on northerly aspects. Near treeline and slightly below, average depths are 16"-20", most of which have become loose, weak, and faceted. Above treeline, winds have stripped slopes bare while alternately loading depressions and gullies and snow depths of 2' or more can be found. In these areas, faceted weak layers are interspersed between hard wind slabs (see this observation from Chris Benson). It's a complex pattern over all but regardless, the danger is going to rise when we add more snow.
Most south facing slopes are bare but for the occasional ribbon of firmly crusted snow. Upper elevation, SE aspects hold the most, and weak faceted snow has been observed in these areas.
Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')
Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')
NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.
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Additional Information
It’s never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:
  • We have over 5 hours of free online learning at the Know Before You Go Website
  • Sign up for an on-snow class or in in person Know Before you Go Event.
  • 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.