Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation NEW - Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Abajo Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Saturday, March 5, 2016

The avalanche danger is generally LOW but remember that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Continue to practice safe travel techniques - climb or ride slopes one at time.

As the day heats up, be alert to signs of wet instability on sun exposed slopes such as roller balls, pinwheels, or sloppy wet snow. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow

It's the incredible shrinking snowpack. A variety of wind and sun crusts abound, and some south facing slopes are melted out to the ground. It's currently 27 degrees on Abajo Peak and winds up there are averaging in the 20-25 mph range with gusts in the 30's from the SE.

Winds, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak.

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat.

Snow totals at Camp Jackson.

Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The avalanche danger is generally low right now, but low danger doesn't mean no danger and you should always maintain avalanche awareness and practice safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain.

Loose Wet Slides: As the day heats up be alert to signs of wet instability such as rollerballs or pinwheels, and stay off of and out form under steep slopes when these signs are present.

Additional Information

Today will be another mostly sunny and warm day in the mountains. High clouds will stream into the area, and southwest winds will be on the increase ahead of an approaching Pacific storm system that will begin to deliver snow sometime on Sunday. Colder air will add to the mix on Monday when we should see the greatest precipitation but overall totals don't look great, around 3" or so. Things dry out a bit mid week with a return to a moist pattern by Friday.

Today

Partly sunny, with a high near 40. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 25 mph.

Tonight

A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 25 mph.

Sunday

Snow showers, mainly after 11am. Some thunder is also possible. High near 37. Windy, with a south southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Sunday Night

Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 19. Windy, with a southwest wind 20 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Monday

Snow showers likely, mainly before 11am. Partly sunny, with a high near 29. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

General Announcements

Let me know what you are seeing down there by posting an observation here. You can also call me on my cell phone at 801-647-8896

To receive this advisory by email go here.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.

Next forecast >