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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Dave Garcia
Issued by Dave Garcia for
Saturday, April 8, 2023
Today there is a MODERATE danger for wet-loose avalanches on steep sun exposed slopes that face W-S-E. Ski and ride solar aspects early before the day heats up.
Northerly aspects have cold snow and offer LOW avalanche danger. Travel smart and always practice safe travel protocols.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Geyser Pass Road: The road is open. 4x4 recommended. Expect the road to be wet, sloppy, and muddy in the afternoon.
Grooming: Trails were groomed into Gold Basin on Wednesday.
Weather and Snow
6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 315" Base Depth at Gold Basin 108"
Temp 22 F Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: S 19 G 27
Weather
It is currently 22 degrees in Gold Basin. We will see partly sunny skies today and a high around 34 degrees. SW winds are forecast to blow 10-15 mph. Tomorrow we will see plenty of sunshine and highs will reach the low 40's. The big warm-up comes early in the week with highs reaching 50 in the mountains.
General Conditions
Strong Southerly winds, warm temperatures, and intense April sun are taking a toll on the snowpack. Yesterday winds blew out of the SSE in the 30 mph range all day, stripping windward slopes in the alpine. We found high elevation North faces to have the best snow. Lose some elevation, and the skiing gets slow and manky. Solar aspects will be crusted over this morning. You can travel safely on the solars early in the day, but as things heat up you will want to move to more Northerly aspects to avoid wet avalanche activity. You may encounter shallow, soft slabs of wind drifted snow in isolated areas on slopes with a Northerly or Easterly component to their aspect.
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
A solo skier triggered this shallow, soft slab of wind drifted snow yesterday in Old Reliable on a NNE aspect at 11,300 ft.
See the La Sal avalanche database here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
It will be possible for skiers and riders to initiate wet-loose avalanches today on steep sun-exposed slopes. Observers yesterday reported solar aspects becoming very wet in the afternoon. Today is a repeat performance with sunny skies and temperatures above freezing. If you see roller balls or notice saturated, slushy snow, it is time to change aspects.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Multiple parties have been skiing steep lines in big terrain lately. Keep in mind that low danger does not mean no danger. Here are some things to consider if you are heading for big objectives today:
  • Lingering slabs of wind drifted snow (like the one pictured above) may exist in isolated areas or extreme terrain on steep slopes that face North through East
  • Travel one at a time through avalanche terrain. Leave the rest of the party in a safe spot ready to perform a rescue
  • Communicate with other parties, and do not ski above other groups
  • Consider the consequences of your terrain choices - what will happen if it slides? Are you above a cliff or terrain trap?
  • Stay well back from cornices, and avoid traveling beneath large cornices.
Additional Information
This graph is from the Snotel site near the Geyser Pass Winter TH. The black line is our current season. Total SWE is 230% of normal.
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.
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