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 Sunday, December 31st at 8:00 a.m. This advisory will expire in 24 hours.

 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW GROOMING EQUIPMENT HERE.

 

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.

Please give us your observations from the field HERE.  The more observations we get, the better this forecast can be. 

 

We still have room in our AIARE level I avalanche class here in Moab scheduled for Jan 5th – 7th.  $190…Best deal in the USA! Call 435-636-3363 for more details.

 

  

General Conditions:

       The La Sal Mountains could use some snow.  Backcountry skiing conditions are variable depending on aspect, ground cover and elevation.  There are definitely areas in which to find some decent turns, although few and far between.   So let’s look at the positive side. 

        Positive #1:  You can make it to the trailhead for an adventure.  Climb some peaks this early winter!  Alpine ridgelines, high pressure and moderate temperatures are your friends. 

        Positive #2:  Groomed skate skiing tracks.  Good day for a high elevation workout.   Nordic Skiers:  Extra blue?  Green? 

        Positive #3:  We live in a desert.  In a growing age of multi-sport and multi-glisse, true Moabites will cross-train in other proficiencies. 

HOMEWORK FOR THE NEW YEAR:  Wash your car, don’t set your alarm and burn all of your old skis. 

 

Mountain Weather: (At 10,500’) –

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 43. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. South southwest wind around 5 mph.
New Year's Day: Partly cloudy, with a high near 41. South southwest wind around 5 mph becoming east northeast.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. South southeast wind around 5 mph becoming north northeast.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Weather Station/ Location

Snow Depth (HS):  in./cm

New Snow (HN) in./cm

7:00 a.m. Temp (F)

Current Observations:  Wind, 48 hour snow

Geyser Pass Trailhead (9,600’): (snotel link)

15.0”

0

28

~

Geyser Pass

29”

0

N/a 

Much More snow up high (east winds?)

Gold Basin and South Mountain

29”

0

n/a

Thin, below normal coverage

Pre-Laurel Peak Station (11,705’)

N/a 

N/a 

20

6 mph from North

 

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

 

  We are currently calling the Avalanche danger MODERATE, meaning that human triggered avalanches are possible. There are still some stiff wind slabs at and above treeline. They may be in unusual locations due to the East winds we’ve had as well.  Snow pits are showing a very weak snow pack structure, although there is no real load on top of this to avalanche.  Human triggered avalanches will be relatively small and probably fail to the ground…where does that snow live?   Use precaution on North through East aspects at and below tree-line.  The avalanche dragons are retreating to these locations.