Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Thursday morning, December 17, 2020
Due to low coverage, most terrain has LOW danger. Isolated, unstable wind drifts may exist on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features at upper elevations. On mid and upper elevation northerly aspects, old, pre-existing snow has deteriorated into layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow on top of a slick, hard bed surface. An avalanche failing on one of these weak layers is currently unlikely, but future snow loads will incrementally increase the probability.
Overall low coverage makes it very difficult to access avalanche terrain at this time, but if you find yourself in these areas, suspect slopes that have smooth, rounded deposits of wind drifted snow. Cracking in the snow surface is a sign of instability. Even a small avalanche triggered under these conditions can have serious and painful consequences.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
We've kicked off Season 4 of the UAC podcast with a Conversation with American Avalanche Institute owner Sarah Carpenter. You can stream it HERE or wherever you get your favorite podcasts.
The Geyser Pass Road above the winter trailhead has officially closed to wheeled vehicles for the season. This closure is in effect from Dec 15 - May 15.
The Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA) has begun grooming. Trails were last groomed on Tuesday, December 15.
Weather and Snow
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 2" Base Depth in Gold Basin 20" Wind S 15-20 G35 Temp 25F
Cirrus clouds have begun to stream into the area ahead of a fast-moving storm system passing by to the north. We may see some light snow showers developing later today with the greatest chance for a couple of inches tonight. Ridge top SW winds will blow in the 15-20 mph range with gusts near 30. Daytime high temps will be in the mid 20's. After this, things look dry into early next week.
Prior to last weekend's storm, snow cover was mostly limited to northerly facing, shady slopes above about 9500', and depths ranged from a few inches to 18" or more at the higher elevations. Most sun-exposed slopes were bare. Aerial observer Chris Benson did a flyover of the range on Tues. Read his observation with photographs here. The bottom line is that there isn't enough snow for skiing and riding off of snow-packed roads and grassy meadows, and low snow cover is the biggest hazard out there right now. Barely covered rocks and deadfall can quickly ruin your season.
Tom Rowe skied up to Geyser Pass yesterday where he reported finding 2 1/2' of snow. Read his observation here.
Check the links below for the most current real-time weather info:
Storm totals at the Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000')
Wind, temperature, humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').
NWS weather forecast
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Far and away, the biggest hazard out there right now is low snow conditions.
Isolated, stiff wind slabs may exist on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features at upper elevations. This terrain is very difficult to access, but if you find yourself in these areas, suspect steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. These can often be recognized by their smooth, rounded appearance, and cracking is a sign of instability.
On mid and upper elevation northerly aspects, old, pre-existing snow has deteriorated into layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow on top of a slick, hard bed surface. An avalanche failing on one of these weak layers is currently unlikely, but future snow loads will incrementally increase the probability.
General Announcements
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.
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >