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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Thursday morning, January 15, 2015

Today the danger for wet slide activity will rise to MODERATE as daytime heating affects sun exposed slopes. There is also a 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.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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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 brought 12" - 16" of new snow to the La Sal Mountains but northeast winds and a strong sun yesterday have affected the snow surface in exposed locations. Good powder conditions can still be found on sheltered slopes below tree line. The base depth in Gold Basin is now 47" and 35" at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Winds overnight have been light to moderate from the NE. It is currently 19 degrees at 10,000'.

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.

Recent Avalanches

In our travels yesterday, we noticed several slides within the new snow on upper elevation terrain. These avalanches ran during the storm Monday night and consisted both of loose snow sluffs, and soft slabs up to 2' deep. They were observed on slopes with W-N-NE aspects. Check back later for an updated list.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

A strong sun and warm temperatures will increase the danger for loose, wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes as the day progresses. Watch for telltale signs of instability such as roller balls and wet point releases and get off of and out from under steep slopes as they begin to heat up.

Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

You will still find stiff wind slabs in upper elevation terrain along ridge crests and on the lee sides of terrain features. The atypical NE winds deposited snow on slopes with a W-SW component, but cross loading was also be a factor and slabs can be found on all aspects above tree line in wind exposed terrain. Avoid slopes steeper than 35 degrees in areas where you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Avalanche Problem #3
Loose Dry 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

Today will be sunny and warm in the mountains with a high temperature at 10,000' of near 40 degrees. Winds will be light from the northeast. Mostly sunny and warm conditions will continue through the weekend.

General Announcements


Road Conditions: San Juan County got up and plowed the road yesterday.

Grooming Conditions: Trails were groomed into Gold Basin yesterday and they saw a significant amount of ski and snowmobile traffic. They are scheduled to be groomed again on 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.​

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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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