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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, February 26, 2017

There is a MODERATE danger for human triggered wind slab avalanches on steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slopes that face NW-N-SE. Be wary of steep convexities, and blind break-overs, and avoid slopes with complex terrain features. With plenty of loose snow available for transport, any increase in winds will cause a subsequent rise in avalanche danger. Be alert to changing conditions and remain on the lookout for recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Most other terrain offers LOW danger.

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Special Announcements

Earlier this month, Colorado experienced a snowbike fatality. This is the newest user group to venture into avalanche terrain, and we have several snowbikes here in Moab. It's a tragic story, and a complex situation where the victim had an airbag but wasn't wearing a beacon. Read the story in the official report from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center.

Weather and Snow

Skies are mostly clear this morning and below zero temperatures persist above 10,000'. Yet another inch or two of snow has trickled in over the past 24 hours bringing totals since Wednesday up to about 10". Winds are mostly light from the WNW. In my travels into the alpine yesterday, I found mostly stable conditions and dense, slightly wind affected powder that is starting to pile up enough to make the bottom disappear. Sheltered, low angle, north facing terrain offered the best turning condiitons. On steeper slopes, and in exposed areas, you can still feel the bottom underneath.

Pretty good conditions can be found on low angle, sheltered, northerly facing terrain.

Brian Sparks made it over to the J Chute on South Mountain and sent in this observation with a snow profile that illustrates the strength of our underlying snowpack.

For other recent observations go here.

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
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
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Description

Upper elevation, wind exposed terrain still harbors wind slabs and areas of drifted snow that could be sensitive to the weight of a skier or rider. Suspect steep, wind drifted slopes that face NW-N-SE. Be wary of steep convexities, and blind break-overs, and avoid slopes with complex terrain features. With plenty of loose snow available for transport, any increase in winds will cause a subsequent rise in avalanche danger. Be alert to changing conditions and remain on the lookout for recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Additional Information

The remnants of the weekend storm will exit to the south, leaving mostly sunny skies today. High temperatures at 10,000' will be in the low to mid 20's. West southwest winds will be light this morning, and increase throughout the day. Unsettled weather continues into the new work week with our next Pacific storm moving in for Monday and Tuesday.

General Announcements

Road conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead has not been plowed this week but vehicles with all wheel drive shouldn't enounter any problems. Expect snow packed conditions.

Longtime local skier Craig Bigler lost a ski in the North Woods on Thursday. If you run across it please give him a call at 435-260-1007.

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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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