US Forest Service Manti-La Sal National Forest

Introduction: Good morning! This is Max Forgensi with the USFS Manti-La Sal Avalanche Center with your avalanche and mountain weather advisory. Today is Friday, December 9th at 9:00 a.m. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

To see past advisories check out the ARCHIVE. To see current conditions go to our WEATHER PAGE. To see photos go to the AVIPHOTOS page.

General Conditions:

The western United States is currently under a Rex Block pattern, meaning that there is a split flow and precipitation is being “blocked” to the North and South of us. Instead we have a stable atmosphere, with poor mixing. The mountains today will be warmer than down in the Moab valley. The temperatures show this. It was 8 degrees at 8:00 a.m. in Moab while 12 degrees up at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. The snow is cold and light up in the mountains, although coverage is limited and there are plenty of ground hazards to avoid. The Grand County Road Department did plow the road, although it is still icy and snow packed in spots. 4WD and chains are recommended.

Current Conditions: (click location for latest data)

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): 6.80” at the SNOTEL. 12 degrees at the trailhead at 7:00 a.m.

Gold Basin and South Mountain: 20” of settled snow on the ground.

Pre-Laurel Peak Weather Station (11,705’): A hearty crew of volunteers went up yesterday and was able to install all of the equipment at the weather station. We are waiting for some cables to be delivered so we can hook up the base station, and then we are good to go!

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’)

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high around 33. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 12. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high around 35. North wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the International Avalanche Danger Scale here)

Our biggest concern for today and into the foreseeable future will be those steep slopes at or above treeline on E-NW aspects. This is where that weak, rotten, faceted snow has been hiding out through weeks of seemingly unending high pressure. This depth-hoar can and most definitely will fail once there is a significant load deposited on top of them, or if a skier finds a weak trap door in the pack. Yesterday, the first avalanche was observed. It started right at tree-line, on a convexity and failed on a North aspect to the ground. SS-N-R2-D2-G. The Bottom line for today is going to be MODERATE on those steep, upper elevation Northerly aspects. Any avalanche activity can be as large as the terrain features shape, and be small avalanches that can still be dangerous to anyone caught in them. Rocks, cliffs and trees hurt! The rest of the range will be LOW.