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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, April 10, 2022
The avalanche danger is LOW and the snowpack is generally stable. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely but unstable snow may exist on isolated terrain features or in areas of extreme terrain.
The snow will be firm today. Consider carrying a tool for self arrest, especially if you are traveling in very steep, consequential terrain.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Road Conditions: The road is down to dry, bare dirt.
Grooming: Done for the season.
Weather and Snow
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Base Depth at Gold Basin 48" Wind WNW 15-20 Temp 25F
Temperatures cratered last night and are 10 degrees colder than yesterday morning. In fact, today's high will barely equal yesterday's low of 36F. Cloudy skies this morning should clear briefly, but high clouds will again develop this afternoon as a strong low pressure system moves onshore in the Pacific Northwest. Blustery, NW winds will blow most of the day before backing off slightly tonight. Monday will be mostly cloudy and windy with a slight chance for snow Monday night. The main event arrives on Tuesday, but for all it's huff and puff, it doesn't look real promising for our zone and I'm thinking 4"-6" at this time.
Snowpack
In spite of a solid freeze last night, cooler temperatures, wind, and increasing clouds later today will not make for optimum corn harvesting conditions as surfaces will be very slow to soften if they even do at all. Lines are getting thin on south aspects. North facing slopes still hold plenty of snow but they are in a transitional state and are crusty and wind affected. Overall, the snowpack is generally stable but it's going to be firm out there. Consider carrying a tool for self arrest, especially if you are traveling in consequential terrain.
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Low danger doesn't mean no danger and the La Sals are a big little mountain range where even a small avalanche could have serious consequences in the wrong terrain. As you branch out into the high country and take on bigger objectives, here are a couple of other things to keep in mind:
  • Isolated, unstable wind slabs may still exist in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Remain on the lookout for unstable areas of wind drifted snow, especially in consequential terrain where even a small triggered wind slab could carry you over a cliff. Wind slabs are recognizable by their smooth rounded appearance and they may sound hollow underneath.
  • A persistent weak layer of faceted snow still exists on northerly aspects. This weak layer is largely non-reactive however, it could still pose a threat in areas of extreme terrain right around treeline. Minimize your exposure to this problem by avoiding sparsely wooded, steep, rocky, radical terrain right around treeline.
Minimize your risk by continuing to observe safe travel techniques. Maintain awareness of the terrain and only expose one person to danger at a time.
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.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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