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Forecast for the Abajo Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Saturday morning, February 10, 2018

With the overall lack of snow cover, the avalanche danger is generally LOW. A remote possibility exists for triggering a shallow avalanche in extreme, upper elevation, north facing terrain. Limited snowfall later today should not increase the danger.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements

Due to lack of snow cover, we will be discontinuing regular avalanche advisories after this weekend. We will continue to monitor conditions and will resume if snowfall dictates.

Weather and Snow

I took a trip up North Creek yesterday, and was stunned to see how much the sun and warm temperatures of the past week had diminished the snow pack. Virtually all southerly aspects are void of snow, and coverage on shady terrain ranges from less than a foot at lower elevations to 18" max on favored, upper elevation northerly aspects. The trailhead at Dalton Springs is nearly melted out, and dry patches are appearing on the North Creek Road.

Clouds have moved in over the area, and WSW winds are on the increase averaging 20 mph with gusts in the low 30's up on Abajo Peak. It's 36 degrees at Buckboard Flat.

Wind, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

Pretty much says it all.

Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

You have to have snow for avalanches and there isn't much. North facing terrain holds up to 18" of snow at upper elevations, and near the ground the snow is very loose and weak. If you wandered into some very steep, extreme, north facing terrain, you may be able to trigger a shallow slab on top of loose, sugary snow, but these are areas are far and few between, and are easily avoided. The lack of coverage alone is enough to keep you out of these areas.

Additional Information

A storm system dropping down from the north will affect our area later this afternoon hopefully bringing us a few inches of snow.


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.

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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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