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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath for
Wednesday, February 7, 2018

The avalanche danger is MODERATE today and heightened avalanche conditions exist in steep, upper elevation terrain that faces NW-N-E. Human triggered, persistent slab avalanches up to 2' deep, failing on weak, sugary, faceted snow at the ground are possible in these areas. The danger also exists for triggering a recently deposited wind slab in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. At mid and lower elevations the avalanche danger is generally LOW.

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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.

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

Yesterday's storm brought a much needed dose of around 6" of low density snow to the mountains and If nothing else, it felt good to be out in winter weather! Folks were out enjoying it and even starting to make turns off trail. Check out this report from Evan Clapper.

Skies are clear and it's cold this morning! It's 16 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and 10 on Pre Laurel Peak. NW ridge top winds are averaging 15-20 mph.

Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 16"

Base depth in Gold Basin: 25"

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: 3"-5" of snow exists on the road but several cars made it up yesterday. 4wd and good tires are required.

Grooming conditions: All trails were rolled out yesterday and Matt will be up today setting corduroy.

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

Weak snow at the ground continues to plague our snowpack, and yesterday I received more reports of collapsing and whoomphing - telltale signs of instability. Though not a widespread problem, areas of unstable snow exist on steep, NW-N-E facing slopes right around treeline and above and human triggered avalanches up to 2' deep remain possible in these areas.

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

NW winds yesterday drifted the low density snow onto the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed to terrain. Today, continue to be on the lookout for smooth rounded pillows of recently deposited, wind drifted snow. A triggered wind slab also has the potential to step down creating a deeper and more dangerous persistent slab avalanche.

Additional Information

Today expect sunny skies and warming temperatures into the low 30's at 10,000'. NW winds will be light. We'll be under a mostly dry, northwest flow for the remainder of the week with a hope for change coming by the weekend.


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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