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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Friday morning, April 8, 2022
The avalanche danger is generally LOW but the La Sals are a big little mountain range comprised of large, complex, radical terrain. Unstable snow may still exist on isolated terrain features and here are some things to keep in mind:
  • Loose wet avalanches will be possible as the day heat up. Look for signs of instability such as rollerballs and pinwheels, and get off of steep slopes if they become wet and sloppy.
  • Unstable wind slabs may exist in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Remain on the lookout for unstable areas of wind drifted snow, especially in consequential terrain.
  • A persistent weak layer of faceted snow still exists on northerly aspects. This weak layer is largely non-reactive however, it could still pose a threat in areas of extreme terrain right around treeline.
    Minimize your risk by continuing to observe safe travel techniques. Maintain terrain awareness and only expose one person to danger at a time.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Road Conditions: The road is a mix of dirt and mud down low and a few inches of snow up high. It gets sloppier as the days warm up. All wheel drive and good tires are recommended.
Grooming: It's been a week since trails were groomed.
Weather and Snow
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Base Depth at Gold Basin 52" Wind NW 10-15 Temp 25F
The story over the past several days has been the wind. At upper elevations, NW winds have been steadily blowing in the 25-35 mph range since Tuesday. They finally backed off last night and are currently blowing in the 10-15 mph range along ridge tops. Today look for sunny skies, light NW winds, and high temps in the upper 40's. Tomorrow will be mostly sunny and even warmer but with increasing SW winds as the high pressure ridge flattens and moves eastward. A cold front Saturday night will bring a few clouds as a system passes by to the north. Sunday will be partly sunny and breezy. Unsettled weather follows with the next system lining up to bring us a shot of snow on Tuesday. Latest model runs are scaling back on amounts.
Snowpack
I've not been up for a few days and I don't have any observations from the backcountry. Nevertheless, it's safe to say that spring conditions are in effect and most surfaces will be crusted over this morning. Hunt for corn on S-W facing slopes near treeline and below and plan to be off of them by around 1:00 p.m. These slopes are melting out fast however so get it while you can. Exposed, northerly aspects have been hammered by the relentless winds. The Jan-Feb persistent weak layer is still present though I feel safe in saying that it is mostly dormant at this time. Areas where it may still be a problem are in steep, complex, featured terrain right around treeline. Minimize your risk by sticking to open, planar slopes, and remain wary of steep convexities, blind break-overs, and areas of rocky, more radical terrain.
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Low danger doesn't mean no danger and even a small avalanche can have large consequences in the wrong terrain. As you travel in the mountains keep the following in mind:
  • Loose wet avalanches will be possible as the day heats up. Signs of instability include pinwheels, rollerballs, and small "point release" sluffs. Stay off of steep slopes when these signs are present, or if they become wet and sloppy.
  • Isolated, unstable wind slabs may still exist in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Remain on the lookout for unstable areas of wind drifted snow, especially in consequential terrain where even a small triggered wind slab could carry you over a cliff. Wind slabs are recognizable by their smooth rounded appearance and they may sound hollow underneath.
  • A persistent weak layer of faceted snow still exists on northerly aspects. This weak layer is largely non-reactive however, it could still pose a threat in areas of extreme terrain right around treeline. Minimize your exposure to this problem by avoiding sparsely wooded, steep, rocky, radical terrain right around treeline.
Minimize your risk by continuing to observe safe travel techniques. Maintain awareness of the terrain and only expose one person to danger at a time.
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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