Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Tuesday, April 9, 2019
Without an overnight refreeze, there will be a MODERATE danger for human triggered avalanches involving wet snow. Loose snow sluffs, and wet slab avalanches are possible.
Avoid steep slopes with wet, sloppy, or punchy snow today. If you are venturing into steep, high elevation, north facing terrain maintain your avalanche awareness. It is still possible to trigger loose snow sluffs that could knock you off your feet and carry you over a cliff. Also be on the lookout for isolated areas of wind drifted snow.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Next Sunday, April 14 will be the last regular advisory for the season. I will post updates as conditions warrant through the rest of the month. As we wind down I want to thank our local supporters including Moab Gear Trader, Talking Mountain Yurts, and ROAM Industry, for helping make this a great season!
When the forecasting ends, the UAC’s work keeps going strong. Summer is a busy time for the UAC. During the summer we are working hard on our fall and winter planning; putting together the Fall Fundraiser and USAW; updating our awareness and education programs; this summer we will be finishing up the website redesign project. Your donation shows you’re invested in this community all year round! You can still be part of the UAC’s success in 2019. Consider making a donation by April 8.
Weather and Snow
It's cloudy, warm, and windy up there this morning with temps in the 40's, and SW ridge top winds averaging 20 mph with higher gusts. A powerful storm system is on the door step of the Intermountain West. It looks like it will favor points north, leaving us with around 5"-8" tomorrow, but we'll see all the other associated fanfare including high winds. Temperatures today will be 10-15 degrees above normal before plummeting to 10-15 below by tomorrow. The cold front moves through sometime after midnight tonight and snowfall is expected through the day tomorrow.
After such a great week of skiing, it's hard to recommend going up today. Without an overnight refreeze the snow will be sloppy and punchy, the light is going to be flat, and it's going to be very windy. Seems like a good day for cleaning out the garage.
New snow totals in Gold Basin (10,000')
Snotel totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')
Winds at 11,000 feet on Abajo Peak (11,330') about 45 miles south.
National Weather Service point forecast.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Without an overnight refreeze, you'll have to be on the lookout for wet snow avalanches today. We won't have rapid warming from the direct sun, but conditions will be sloppy and punchy out there, and both loose wet, and wet slab avalanches are possible. Avoid steep slopes with wet, sloppy snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Low danger doesn't mean no danger, especially if you are setting your sites on some of the bigger lines, and more extreme terrain that the La Sals have to offer. Continue to be on the lookout for isolated wind rolls on the leeward sides of high elevation ridge crests and terrain features. Loose snow sluffing on very steep, north facing slopes is also still a possibility. Though mostly shallow, and not very wide, a loose sluff could carry you over a cliff and ruin your day if not your life. Practice safe travel techniques, and carefully evaluate the snow before committing to extreme terrain.
General Announcements
Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations HERE. You can also call me at 801-647-8896, or send me an email: [email protected].
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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.