Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - February 25, 2018 - 7:30am
bottom line

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on steep slopes that face NW-N-E right around treeline and above, especially on slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Below treeline the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Low elevations and south facing terrain offer mostly LOW danger.
special announcement

https://utahavalanchecenter.org/observations/37383Episode 5 of the UAC podcast "To Hell in a Heartbeat - A Conversation With Tom Diegel and Matt Clevenger About the 12.26.08 Full Burial on Little Water" is live. Matt and Tom talk about the avalanche documented in To Hell in a Heartbeat. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog.​

The UAC Marketplace is still open. Our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.
current conditions

It's been a big week for the Abajo Mountains. Buckboard Flat has received 14-16" of snow since Wednesday afternoon, with as much as 2' up high. We still have some catching up to do but it's finally looking like winter up there. Kevin Dressel has been getting out regularly and reported excellent conditions from yesterday.

Wind, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')

It's looking a lot better up there but still thin in places, particularly on sun exposed slopes. Kevin Dressell photo.

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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 snowpack needs a little more time to adjust to this week's snow load. A great deal of stress has been placed on buried weak, sugary, faceted snow near the ground and the additional weight of a skier or rider will still be enough to trigger an avalanche up to 3' deep. The danger is greatest on steep slopes right around treeline and above that face NW-N-E, especially on slopes that have fairly recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

weather

Today look for mostly sunny skies with high temps at 10,000' to be in the mid teens. Ridge tops will see a light but cold NW breeze.
general announcements

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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 occur.