Introduction:
Good morning, this is Max Forgensi with the CHECK OUT OUR NEW GROOMING
EQUIPMENT! 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. OBSERVATIONS? Please give us your observations from the field HERE. The more observations we get, the
better this forecast can be. |
General Conditions: Winter is still hanging on to the La
Sal Mountains. 1.00” of H20 fell
in the past 24 hours up at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. It appears that it started as rain
(temps were in the high 30’s) and then finally turned to snow late yesterday
afternoon. 6” of snow has fallen
since then. Expect much more
snow up higher where the temperatures stayed below freezing. 12” of new snow can be expected in
Gold Basin. The winds have been
brutal up in the mountains in the past 24 hours. Gusts up to 90 mph were recorded and some hourly averages
were in the mid thirties. Which
means read on to the avalanche conditions. The road to Geyser Pass will be muddy
down low and snow covered up high…4WD is recommended today. Skate and Nordic skiing conditions
will be “fresh”. This weekend
will be a great time to get out of Moab proper and enjoy some decent spring
skiing! Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) – Today: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high around 30.
Breezy, with a west wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches
possible. |
Weather Station/ Location |
Snow Depth (HS):
in./cm |
New Snow (HN) in./cm |
|
Current Observations:
Wind, 48 hour snow |
Geyser
Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link) |
31.9” |
6” |
22 @ 8:00 |
Powder! |
|
~. |
12+” |
N/a |
Powder |
|
~ |
12” |
n/a |
Great skiing conditions |
N/a |
N/a |
10.6 degrees |
Wind anemometer
is broken |
Avalanche Conditions: (Link to the
International Avalanche Danger Scale here)
– With another 1.00” of H20 falling in
the past 24 hours, the La Sal Mountains have received another critical
value. Strong winds from the
South through Southwest for the past 24 hours have transported available new
snow onto North and Northeast aspects.
The winds have probably cross-loaded some slopes as well. This event could have created
sensitive soft slabs on these leeward slopes and ridges. In the lower elevations, rain has
added weight to the snow but no strength. The snow line will be around 9,000’. With winds forecasted to blow in from
the west today then veering to the Northwest, sensitive wind slabs could be
found anywhere. Tomorrow will be
a good day to go out and observe this current event, Saturdays forecast should
have more information. The BOTTOM LINE for today is an avalanche danger of CONSIDERABLE at all aspects and elevations.
|