Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains | utahavalanchecenter.org

Avalanche Advisory

Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains	Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - March 1, 2016 - 7:12am

bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW but remember that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Continue to exercise caution in areas of steep, rocky, more radical terrain where you may still be able to trigger an isolated wind slab, or even a deeper, buried persistent slab.

As the day heats up, be alert to signs of wet instability on sun exposed slopes such as roller balls, pinwheels, or sloppy wet snow. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

special announcement

current conditions

A variety of wind and sun crusts abound. Some south facing slopes are beginning to melt out.

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 avalanche danger is generally low right now, but low danger doesn't mean no danger and you should always maintain avalanche awareness and practice safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain. Here are a few problems to remain on the lookout for: Wind Slabs: You may still encounter isolated wind slab pockets in areas of steep, radical, wind exposed terrain. Suspect the lee sides of terrain features such as gully walls, sub ridges, or rock buttresses. Persistent / Deep Slabs: There still may be isolated pockets where a hard slab sits on top of weak, shallow, sugary snow. Suspect areas of rocky, radical terrain that has avalanched or been repeatedly scoured out through the season. Give extra caution to steep rollovers and blind break overs. Loose Wet Slides: As the day heats up be alert to signs of wet instability such as rollerballs or pinwheels, and stay off of and out form under steep slopes when these signs are present.

type

aspect/elevation

characteristics

LIKELIHOOD

LIKELY

UNLIKELY

SIZE

LARGE

SMALL

TREND

INCREASING DANGER

SAME

DECREASING DANGER

over the next 24 hours

description

The avalanche danger is generally low right now, but low danger doesn't mean no danger and you should always maintain avalanche awareness and practice safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain. Here are a few problems to remain on the lookout for:

Wind Slabs: You may still encounter isolated wind slab pockets in areas of steep, radical, wind exposed terrain. Suspect the lee sides of terrain features such as gully walls, sub ridges, or rock buttresses.

Persistent / Deep Slabs: There still may be isolated pockets where a hard slab sits on top of weak, shallow, sugary snow. Suspect areas of rocky, radical terrain that has avalanched or been repeatedly scoured out through the season. Give extra caution to steep rollovers and blind break overs.

Loose Wet Slides: As the day heats up be alert to signs of wet instability such as rollerballs or pinwheels, and stay off of and out form under steep slopes when these signs are present.

weather

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 39. West northwest wind around 10 mph.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a west wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 15 to 20 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 30. Blustery, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Thursday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 47. Southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Thursday Night

Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Friday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 46.

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.

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