Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - January 28, 2017 - 7:12am
bottom line

Today there is a MODERATE avalanche danger for wind slabs old and new on all aspects in steep, wind exposed terrain. Avoid steep slopes that have areas of wind drifted snow. There is also a MODERATE danger for triggering a deeper, persistent slab avalanche. Upper-mid elevation, northerly facing aspects are the most suspect, particularly in areas of steep, rocky, heavily featured terrain. Low elevation terrain offers mostly LOW danger.
special announcement

The Abajo/Blue Mountain avalanche advisory will provide detailed information on the weekends. During the week, general information and a danger rating will be posted.

Backcountry 101 Avalanche Class

We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche class on Feb 3, 4. This course will include a night classroom session and a day in the field. Cost is $125 with proceeds to benefit the Utah Avalanche Center Moab. For more information or to sign up go here.
current conditions

The main story over the past 24 hours has been the NE winds. Region wide they've been blowing mostly in the 10-20 mph range along ridge tops, with gusts into the 30's and even high 40's. These blasts have unfortunately taken a toll on the snow surface on exposed, northerly facing slopes, while depositing shallow drifts and wind slabs on southerly aspects. Best bet today will be to seek out sheltered mid, and lower elevation terrain. Mountain temperatures are about 10 degrees warmer this morning and it's currently 20 degrees at the Dalton Springs trailhead, and 8 on Abajo Peak.
recent activity

Dustin Randall reported a very large avalanche off of Horse Head Mountain that ran during the storm cycle of last weekend. According to his report, it was up to 1500' wide, taking out the whole bowl and running most of the track.

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

Wind slabs old and new continue to be the primary concern. Northeast winds have deposited shallow wind drifts on southerly aspects, primarily in upper elevation terrain. Mostly shallow and manageable, they'll be a bit more stubborn today, but be alert to areas of wind drifted snow on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features, and look for areas of cross loading on the sides of gully walls and sub-ridges.

It may also still be possible to trigger an older, deeper wind slab that formed during the storm cycle of last weekend. Very strong, southwest winds on Monday deposited vast amounts of snow on to leeward, northerly aspects. Most of these slabs are pretty well stuck in place, but there could be an isolated fat pocket here in there that could break out and take you for an ugly ride. Pay attention to smooth rounded pillows of snow, especially if they sound hollow like a drum, and avoid wind loaded slopes with steep convexities.
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

Heavy snowfall and wind loading last weekend increased the stress on buried weak layers and several slides broke down into older snow. The snowpack has begun to adjust to this new load, but steep terrain should still be approached with caution. Upper-mid elevation, northerly facing aspects are the most suspect, particularly in areas of steep, rocky, heavily featured terrain.
weather

High pressure is building over the region and temperatures should gradually warm over the next few days. The long range shows a hint at precipitation by late next week.

Today

Sunny, with a high near 23. Blustery, with a north northwest wind 15 to 25 mph becoming south in the morning.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 8. Wind chill values as low as -10. Blustery, with a north wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 28. Wind chill values as low as -10. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 17. North wind around 10 mph.

Monday

Sunny, with a high near 31. North northwest wind around 10 mph.
general announcements

If you are getting out into the mountains, we love to hear from you! You can SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS ONLINE

If you would like to have avalanche advisories emailed to you, SIGN UP HERE

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebayIf you sign up for AmazonSmile and designate the Utah Avalanche Center as your favorite charity, they will donate a portion of everything you spend to the UAC. I doesn't cost you a penny and we'd really appreciate the help.​

The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.