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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Friday morning, February 4, 2022
The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations and generally stable snow conditions exist. Watch for areas of unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Higher consequence terrain increases your risk where even a small slide could carry you through rocks or over a cliff.
Hard snow conditions exist and dangerous "slides for life" are possible. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
We will be holding a Backcountry 101 course Feb 18, 19. It's a great introduction to understanding avalanche hazard and how to travel through the mountains safely. Go here for details and to register. And a huge thanks to our friends at Moab Gear Trader for their sponsorship of this course!
Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is dirt and mud down low, snow packed and icy above. AWD and good tires are recommended.
Grooming: LUNA will be up grooming today. Follow them on Instagram @luna_moab
Weather and Snow
6:00 a.m. Weather Data
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Base Depth in Gold Basin 39" Wind N 5-15 Temp 4F
Though only in the single digits, temps are about 10 degrees warmer than yesterday at this time. Today, you guessed it, look for sunny skies. Ridge top winds will be light to moderate and northerly. High temps will be in the low to mid 20's. We'll see gradual warming over the next few days as the endless pattern continues.
NWS Weather Forecast for the La Sal Mountains
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Snowpack
Nothing new to report. I'll be headed up today to monitor the degree of weakening within the surface snow. Widely variable snow surfaces exist ranging from isolated areas of soft snow, to varying thicknesses of wind and sun crusts, to even ice and rock hard wind board.
With virtually no precipitation in January, we've dropped to 87% of normal snowpack for this time of year. Seems like it would be worse so give thanks for the small things and enjoy the sunshine.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches have been reported since the Dec 31 avalanche cycle. Go here for the complete list.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Though the avalanche danger is low and generally stable conditions exist, here are some things to keep in mind:
  • Isolated, unstable areas of wind drifted snow may exist on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as sub-ridges and rock outcroppings above treeline. Shallow wind slabs shouldn't pose much of a threat but one could sweep you of your feet and carry you over a cliff, especially if you are stomping around in higher, more extreme terrain. Be wary of smooth rounded deposits, or areas where the snow feels or sounds hollow underneath.
  • As the snow surface continues to weaken we'll start to see loose snow sluffs in steep terrain. These small slides generally won't pose much of a threat but they could sweep you off your feet and carry you over a cliff so be mindful of your exposure.
  • Areas of very firm snow exist where a fall could produce a dangerous, slide for life. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.
Additional Information
The beacon training park is up and running above the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Pull out your beacon and practice your skills as you head up the trail! A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts and Moab Gear Trader for their support of this great resource!
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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.
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