Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - March 27, 2017 - 7:28am
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The avalanche danger is generally LOW in the Abajo Mountains. An approaching storm system will begin affecting our area tonight. I don't anticipate the danger to rise today, but as winds increase be alert to possible wind transported snow and the formation of new wind slabs.
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.

current conditions

Skies are cloudy, southerly ridge top winds are mostly light, and 10,000' temperatures are right around freezing. Snow conditions are typical spring mixed bag. An approaching storm system will begin to affect our area tonight. It doesn't look to be a big producer for us but we could see 3"-5" by Tuesday night.

Traditionally a wet month, March has been tough on our snowpack and we are currently at 74% of normal. Most south facing slopes are dry ground all the way up to the tops of the peaks, and patches of ground are showing on east and west facing slopes as well. Trail heads are melted out, and access for motorized users is difficult.

weather

Today

A slight chance of rain and snow showers before noon, then scattered rain showers between noon and 4pm, then rain and snow showers likely after 4pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 40. Windy, with a west wind 10 to 20 mph becoming south 20 to 30 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight

Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 24. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 25 mph becoming west 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday

Snow showers, mainly before noon. High near 31. Very windy, with a north wind 10 to 20 mph increasing to 30 to 40 mph. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 24. Very windy, with a north wind 40 to 50 mph, with gusts as high as 70 mph.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 37. Very windy, with a north wind 35 to 45 mph decreasing to 20 to 30 mph. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph.
general announcements

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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.