UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!
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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Dave Garcia
Issued by Dave Garcia on
Wednesday morning, March 5, 2025
There is a MODERATE avalanche danger on many steep slopes facing W-N-E. Human-triggered avalanches, potentially 2 feet deep or more, are possible and may fail on a buried persistent weak layer of faceted snow. The highest risk is on steep northerly slopes near treeline.
On slopes that face SW-S-SE you will find LOW avalanche danger and dust on crust conditions. The new snow is poorly bonded to slick crusts on these slopes, look out for loose snow sluffs in steep terrain.
Heads up: A wet and windy storm is on our doorstep, expect rising avalanche danger over the next couple of days.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Construction on the La Sal Loop Road will be starting up again with closures above Pack Creek between 8:30-5:30 Monday through Friday.
The Utah Avalanche Center is excited to host Mountainfilm on Tour in Moab at Star Hall on 3/21 and 3/22. Click here for tickets and information.
We are happy to announce the launch of our new mobile application available on both Android and IOS. Get all the information you need to plan your backcountry adventure and keep the information at the tip of your fingers while you are out. Install the Android version here and the IOS version here.
Geyser Pass Road: Four inches of new snow fell on the Geyser Pass Road on Monday. 4x4 recommended.
Grooming Conditions: Trails have not been recently groomed and have 4 inches of new snow.
Weather and Snow
6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data
24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 4" Season Total Snow: 86" Depth at Gold Basin: 40"
Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: N/A Temp: 14° F Percent of Normal (SWE): 71%
Weather
Pre Laurel Peak wind station and the Gold Basin storm stake are down as we install upgrades including a web cam to the site.
Under clear skies, it is 14° F in Gold Basin this morning. Overnight winds were light out of the NW. Today the winds will remain light and blow out of the west before shifting to the southwest and increasing this afternoon. After 5 PM winds will be gusting in the 25-30 MPH range ahead of the incoming storm. Daytime highs will reach 34° F with increasing cloud cover. A winter storm watch goes into effect this evening. The storm will come with strong southwest winds gusting in the 40-50 MPH range. Orographic showers will pick up over higher terrain tonight. The heaviest precipitation intensity (PI) is expected tomorrow, and peak winds will coincide with peak snowfall rates. Snowfall will continue on Friday, but snowfall rates drop off compared to Thursday. Storm totals look to be at least 1 inch of water and a foot of snow, with higher amounts possible. High pressure and warm temperatures move in this weekend, with another chance for snow next week.
General Conditions
Four inches of new snow fell at the Gold Basin stake Monday, and there is five inches of new snow at higher elevations. The recent snow is a much needed refresh for the range. Many slopes were crusted over after the unseasonably warm temperatures and sunny skies. You will find dust on crust conditions and low danger on the sunny slopes. The new snow is poorly bonded to the underlying crusts, look out for shallow sluffs if you happen to be getting into steep terrain. Yesterday, Ed and I found great skiing on sheltered northerly slopes that still held soft snow underneath. Four inches of low density snow will not affect our current persistent weak layer problem. Some slopes have started to go isothermal, but a cold, weak, and shallow snowpack still exists on many slopes on the north half of the compass. A well connected slab remains on top of this weak structure, and human triggered avalanches are possible. Take a look at my observation from Monday to see how the snowpack has changed due to recent warm temperatures. Heavy snowfall and strong winds are expected on Thursday. The avalanche danger will rise accordingly with this storm and will remain elevated into the weekend.
Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')
Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')
NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.
Recent Avalanches
See the avalanche database here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A persistent weak layer problem remains on many slopes that face W-N-E. A week of very warm temperatures has helped to strengthen our snowpack, but there is still a possibility for large avalanches failing on faceted layers buried deeply in the pack. The threat is greatest on steep northerly aspects near treeline, but below treeline slopes also have poor snowpack structure. Conservative travelers will continue to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees where this structure exists. The incoming storm with heavy snowfall and strong winds will be a good test for these weak layers, and we will be paying close attention to how they respond to the load.
Additional Information
Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Brett "Kowboy" Kobernick where he discusses faceted persistent weak layers and how "nobody is immune from getting killed in an avalanche."
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General Announcements
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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