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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, February 8, 2015

The avalanche danger is generally LOW at this time but low danger doesn't mean no danger. With daytime heating the potential for wet slide activity exists on sun exposed slopes. There also remains an isolated possibility for triggering a buried persistent slab on steep shady aspects in more extreme upper elevation terrain, particularly in rocky areas that have a thin shallow snowpack.

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Weather and Snow

With warm sunny days and a mostly stable snowpack, conditions are ripe for simply cruising around the mountains, enjoying the beautiful weather, and perhaps bagging a peak. My partner Mark Sevenoff and I climbed Tukunikivatz yesterday and found it to be an exhilarating day in the mountains. Read the full report here. Though conditions remain variable, settled, creamy, re-crystallized "powder" can be found on sheltered wooded slopes and on some upper elevation bowls. Elsewhere look for a variety of wind and sun crusts on exposed aspects. High elevation, wind exposed terrain has been scoured down to the rocks in some areas and some southerly aspects are melted out to the ground. Winds overnight have been light and westerly. Overnight lows at 10,000' dropped into the mid 20's.


Decent turning conditions in re-crystallized powder at upper elevations. Watch out for alternating wind crusts!


Looking down the SW colouir "Tuklear Reaction" from the summit of Mount Tukunikivatz.


Looking down the N Face of Tukunikivatz from the summit.

La Sal Mountains Current Weather

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.

Abajo / Blue Mountains.

Low snow conditions continue to plague the Abajo Mountains. Thanks to Scott Watson for his observation from North Creek on Friday.

Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak.

Snow total at Buckboard Flat.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
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The avalanche danger is generally low at this time but as always, maintaining awareness of current and changing conditions is paramount for safety in the mountains and here are a couple of things to remain aware of.

Wet slides: Though I haven't seen any sign of wet slide activity over the past several days, continued warm temperatures and sunny skies mean it will be important to remain on the lookout for sloppy snow conditions on sunny aspects. If signs of instability such as sloppy wet snow, pinwheels, or wet point releases present themselves, it means it is time to stay off of and out from under steep, sun exposed slopes.

Persistent Slab: In general we have reached a point where conditions are "weak but stable" and the chances of triggering a persistent slab are unlikely. Nevertheless, there still may be isolated areas where it is possible to trigger a persistent slab. Areas where you may find this problem are 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 will be another beautiful, sunny, spring like day in the mountains with high temperatures at 10,000' again reaching into the mid 40's. Monday looks like a repeat performance with a change in the weather coming on Tuesday as a weak shortwave trough to the north brings clouds and little more than a chance of snow to our area.

General Announcements


Road Conditions: The road is packed and passable but also melting out and getting sloppy on the lower end.

Grooming Conditions: Kirsten groomed into Gold Basin yesterday and nordic conditions are excellent.

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 Thursday, January 22.

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