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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, February 4, 2018

There is an isolated or MODERATE danger on steep terrain that faces NW-N-E above about 11,000' where more than 16" of snow can be found overlying weak, sugary, faceted snow on the ground. Most other terrain offers LOW danger.

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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

Episode 3 of the UAC podcast is live. We talk with UDOT Avalanche Program Supervisor Bill Nalli on how he and his teams keep the Greatest Snow on Earth from avalanching over the open roads and highways of the state. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog, or wherever you get your podcasts.

I'm sorry to see we've had to cancel our Backcountry 101 classes due to lack of snow.

The UAC Marketplace is online. The holiday auction is closed, but our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.

Weather and Snow


NPS ranger Brian Hayes and I made a foray to the summit of Mount Mellenthin on Thursday. The dramatic view pretty much sums up conditions.

Sun, wind, and warm temperatures this week have been hard on our meager snowpack and many exposed slopes are down to the rocks. The only bright spot is that most surfaces are now supportable, and that we finally have a base should snow ever come.

Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 14"

Base depth in Gold Basin: 23"

New snow totals in Gold Basin.

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, (9600')

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

Road conditions to Geyser Pass Trailhead: Snowpacked and passable to most vehicles with good tires. All wheel drive recommended.

Grooming conditions: Trails are groomed into Gold Basin and over Geyser Pass.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Stability tests continue to demonstrate that unstable snow exists on steep, NW-N-E facing slopes right around treeline and above where about 16" of snow is sitting on topp of loose, weak, sugary facets. Unfortunately, these are the only areas that have enough snow for one to consider skiing. The balance on these slopes is tenuous, and the additonal weight of a backcountry traveler could trigger an ugly, slide to the ground. The future for this type of terrain doesn't bode well either as any new snow load will add additonal stress to a weakness that is primed and ready. This very well could become a winter where steep, north facing aspects should be avoided all season.

Extended column tests continue to produce reactive results where the entire snowpack fails on weak facets at the ground. This test on a northeast facing aspect at 11,3000' scored ECTP 14.

Additional Information


General Announcements

The UAC has new support programs with Outdoor Research and Darn Tough. Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at Outdoor Research, REI, Backcountry.com, Darn Tough, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on eBay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your eBay account here and click on eBay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny

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 occur.

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