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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Wednesday, January 14, 2015

There is an overall MODERATE danger for triggering a recently deposited wind slab on all aspects steeper than 35 degrees, primarily at upper elevations, in areas that you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow. There also remains a MODERATE danger of triggering a persistent slab on steep, upper elevation slopes with a NW-N-E aspect, particularly in rocky areas that have a thin snowpack.

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Special Announcements

The Utah Avalanche Center Moab will be offering a free "Know Before You Go" avalanche awareness class Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand County Library.

Weather and Snow

La Sal Mountains

Monday night's storm delivered 10-14" of much needed new snow to the La Sal Mountains and conditions are markedly improved. East north east winds were on the rise last night averaging 20-30 mph for several hours. Needless to say,some snow has been blown around at upper elevations and there will be areas of drifted and wind affected snow. Good powder conditions will still be found below tree line and on sheltered slopes.

Wind speeds and temperature at 11,700' on Pre-Laurel Peak.

New snow totals and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead.

New snow totals and temperature in Gold Basin.

Thanks to everyone who has been posting recent observations. You can post new observations here.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

With plenty of snow available for transport, there will be newly formed wind slabs along ridge crests and on the lee sides of terrain features. The atypical wind direction will have deposited snow on slopes with a W-SW component, but cross loading will also be a factor, and new wind slabs will likely be found on all aspects above tree line in wind exposed terrain. Stay off of slopes steeper than 35 degrees today in areas where you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The weaknesses in our snowpack have not gone away and the danger remains for triggering a persistent slab on upper-mid to upper elevation slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have a NW-N-E aspect, particularly in areas of rocky terrain that have a thin shallow snowpack.

Additional Information

It looks to be a beautiful day in the mountains. Some patchy fog this morning will give way to mostly sunny skies as a ridge of high pressure develops over the region. High temperatures at 10,000' will be near 30 degrees. Winds will be light from the NE shifting to the SW. Thursday looks to be even warmer with high temperatures climbing to near 40 degrees. Mostly sunny skies remain through the weekend.

General Announcements


Road Conditions: Expect the road to be covered with up to 8" of snow today. 4wd and possibly chains will be a must.

Grooming Conditions: Matt is going to pack out the road with the snowmobiles today. Regular grooming is scheduled for Friday.

Observations: If you are out and about, I would love to know what you are seeing. Please post your observations here.

EMAIL ADVISORY If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you will need to subscribe here.​

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist. This advisory will be updated on Saturday, January 3 or sooner if conditions warrant.

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