UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Saturday, February 11, 2023
The avalanche danger is generally LOW. Small avalanches remain possible in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

Unstable hard slabs of wind drifted snow may still exist on isolated terrain features.

Hard snow conditions exist and "slides for life" are possible. Use extra caution in areas of consequential terrain.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Dave and I will be at the Geyser Pass Trailhead today from 9:00 - 11:00 as part of the UAC's Trailhead Avalanche Awareness Program. Stop in and say hi!
Have you been hearing how cell phones and such can interfere with your avalanche beacon? The "20/50 Rule" is that you want your beacon 20cm (8") away from other electronics while transmitting and 50cm (20") away from electronics while searching. Get the full scoop here.
Geyser Pass Road: The road is plowed and widened with a snow packed surface.
Grooming: Trails were groomed on Monday.
Weather and Snow
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 186" Base Depth at Gold Basin 68"
Winds on Pre Laurel Peak SSE 20 Temp 20F

Weather
Skies are clear this morning and temps are about 10 degrees warmer than this time yesterday. A ridge of high pressure moves east as a cut off low slides down the Pacific Coast bringing us under the influence of SW flow. Look for increasing clouds later today, breezy, southerly winds, and high temps in the low to mid 30's at 10,000'. Sunday should be mostly sunny before the low moves inland across southern AZ with a chance for snow developing for our area on Monday. Another stronger system follows on Tues-Wed.

General Conditions
In my travels to the Abajos yesterday, I found the full gamut of wind affected surfaces from crusted, to hard wind board, textured sastrugi, and finally, hard slabs of wind drifted snow. Local reports from the La Sals are of the same and it's getting harder to find areas with soft snow. Hard slabs formed on Wednesday are now mostly stuck in place but you may still be able to trigger one somewhere in wind affected terrain. Isolated, or "pockety" in nature, hard slabs of wind drifted snow are most easily detected by their hollow sound or feel. Mostly shallow, they won't likely bury you but they could sweep you off your feet or carry you over a cliff. South facing slopes are either firm or breakable crust. They'll get soft and slushy as the day progresses.

Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')
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.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the backcountry. See the La Sal Avalanche database here.
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Additional Information
With generally stable snow conditions now, and a likely rise in danger next week, take the time to refresh what each level of the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale means.
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. This forecast will be updated by 7:30 tomorrow morning.