Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - February 23, 2016 - 7:26am
bottom line

There is a MODERATE avalanche danger in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain both for loose dry avalanches, as well as recently deposited wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features.

At mid and lower elevations the avalanche danger is generally LOW.




special announcement

Hats off to Moab Powersports for stepping up and getting their snowbike riders educated about avalanches. These fellas just completed a 101 course with a nighttime classroom session and a day in the field. Good job guys!

current conditions

The mountains picked up about 5" of new snow on Monday night, and conditions will be improved though a variety of sun and wind crusts will be felt beneath the surface. Overnight winds blew in the 20-30 mph range from the northwest but backed off into the teens around 7:00 a.m. Winter temperatures have returned and it's 6 degrees on Abajo Peak and 19 at Buckboard Flat.

Winds, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak.

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat.

Snow totals at Camp Jackson.

recent activity

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

The new snow will easily slide off the variety of slick, hard surfaces out there so be alert to loose snow sluffs on steep slopes, primarily in upper elevation terrain. Mostly manageable, and not large enough to bury you, a loose snow slide could possibly sweep you off your feet and take you for a ride over a cliff or push you into a tree.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Northwest winds overnight have blown in the 20-30 mph range along ridge tops. Expect to find sensitive new wind drifts developing on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Mostly shallow and manageable, you can test for new wind slabs with a slope cut before dropping into terrain steeper than about 35 degrees.

weather

That's all folks. Skies will begin clearing today becoming partly sunny by afternoon. By Wednesday a ridge of high pressure builds and sets in for the long term.

Today

A 20 percent chance of snow before 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 28. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 15. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 35. Calm wind becoming west southwest around 5 mph.

Wednesday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

Thursday

Sunny, with a high near 38. North northwest wind around 10 mph.

Thursday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 26.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 39.

general announcements

Let me know what you are seeing down there by posting an observation here.  You can also call me on my cell phone at 801-647-8896

To receive this advisory by email go here.

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 exist.