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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, February 12, 2017

Today there is a MODERATE danger for human triggered avalanches within the new snow on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. They may present themselves as loose, dry sluffs, or as soft, cohesive slabs. These instabilities should settle out as the day progresses. If winds increase, there will be a MODERATE danger for triggering a newly formed wind slab on leeward slopes in upper elevation terrain.

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Weather and Snow

The mountains picked up a decent dose of high density snow yesterday afternoon and evening, with Gold Basin reporting 6" of new. Geyser Pass Trailhead is reporting 4" with .5" of water. This shot of dense snow will provide a nice cushion over the old snow surface, and skiing and riding conditions will be greatly improved. Southwest winds during the storm were relatively well behaved, averaging 15-20 mph with gusts near 30 along ridge tops. They shifted to northerly a little after 6:00 p.m. and dropped into the single digits. They are currently light out of the SE. Temperatures are almost wintry again, it's 23 degrees on Pre-Laurel Peak, 26 in Gold Basin, and 30 at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Reed Kennard was out yesterday and submitted this observation.

Wind, temperature and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak. (11,700')

Storm totals and temperature in Gold Basin. (10,000')

Snow totals, temperature and snow/water equivalent at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. (9600')

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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

New snow amounts aren't great, and I think most of the instabilities will have settled out by this morning, but you may be able to trigger a long running, loose snow sluff, or cohesive soft slab on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Mostly manageable, these types of avalanches could nevertheless sweep you off your feet, and carry over a cliff, or into trees if they caught you unawares.

Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

With plenty of loose, new snow available for transport, it won't take much of an increase in winds to form fresh wind slabs in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. If winds do pick up, be on the lookout for fresh drifts of wind deposited snow on leeward slopes in upper elevation terrain.

Additional Information

Today look for mostly cloudy skies and a chance for lingering snow showers. 1 to 2 inches are possible. High temps at 10,000' will be near 32. East southeast winds will be from 5 to 15 mph, becoming southerly in the afternoon.

General Announcements

Road conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is plowed with a mix of packed snow, dirt, and mud at lower elevations.

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

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