Moab Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Dave Medara

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

New snow for some spring powder skiing. Corn skiing will be postponed for a few days at least. MODERATEoverall avalanche danger with pockets of CONSIDERABLEdanger up high on shady aspects where the winds have been at work and the snow surfaces are a little weaker.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Well it looks like the corn skiing is over for the time being with 3 tenths of an inch of water being measured at the La Sal Snotel site. That equates to about 4-5 inches of new snow. Densities seem reasonable based on the numbers from the Snotel site and it got cold enough to produce some nice snow for skiing and riding. It snowed all the way down to the Moab Rim. It won't last long when spring returns, but could be good for a few powder turns for any enthusiasts who haven't put the winter gear away yet. We'll know more after we get up to the mountain today.

Roads to Geyser Pass and Dark Canyon Trailheads will be snowy. 4wd today

Full nordic track is groomed for classic and skate skiing yesterday afternoon. Snowed on. LUNAvolunteers are headed up as we speak to buff the trails before the LUNA event today at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.


RECENT ACTIVITY

Nothing of note. More obs after today.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 48 hours.

Link to the U.S. Avalanche danger scale here: utahavalanchecenter.org/education/dangerscale

4-5 inches of new snow. Pretty well behaved wInds from the Southwest loading up high elevation E-NE-NW facing slopes. Overall MODERATEavalanche danger meaning the natural avalanche are unlikely and human triggered avalanches are possible. Pockets of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on shady side slopes at and above treeline. On E-NE-NW facing slopes near surface faceted crystals have developed leaving a weaker old snow surface on these aspects than the sunny sides. Please travel with caution on these aspects.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Mountain Weather for SE Utah at 10,000 ft:

Today: Snow. High near 21. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 5 inches possible. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow before 11pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 10. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south southeast. Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. South wind between 10 and 15 mph. Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 20. South wind around 15 mph. Monday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 15 and 20 mph. Monday Night: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 12. Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

TODAY!!!!!

The Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA)....

INVITES YOU TO ENJOY OUR NORDIC TRACK

MARCH 7, 2009

10:00 AM

GEYSER PASS TRAILHEAD

BRING YOUR SKIS OR SNOWSHOES FOR EASY, INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED ROUTES

REFRESHMENTS PROVIDED

QUESTIONS? 435-260-0042 or Kirstin.m.p@gmail.com


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.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.