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

Don't stay out on sunny side slopes today. Unless things cloud up more than forecast. A wet slide cycle is nearly certain today with the warm-up. Head for a shadier aspect or back to the barn if you find yourself in the wet zone.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

Cold snow, get it fast. Likely it is already on the way out with the sun onSEfacing aspects. We've measured a foot of light density snow at out Gold Basin Study plot yesterday. 8 inches overnight and 4 more inches during the day yesterday fell during the LUNA Nordic ski event at the Geyser Pass trailhead. Winds have been light and out of the south. Reports of good skiing and limited slab formation, even above treeline have come in. 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. Enjoy and BECAREFULWITHDAYTIMEHEATINGOFTHISNEWSNOW! The first spring sun to hit the new snow after a storm like this will often be the cause of an avalanche cycle.

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

Full nordic track is groomed for classic and skate skiing after LUNA's cross-country ski event yesterday.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Some limited point release activity reported. If you see any slides you can report them HERE.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
No trend identified.

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

10-12 inches of new snow. More up high. Pretty well behaved wInds from the Southwest. LImited (much less than usual) loading up high elevation E-NE-NW facing slopes. Overall MODERATE avalanche 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

New snow for some spring powder skiing. Corn skiing will be postponed for a few days at least. MODERATE overall avalanche danger with pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger up high on shady aspects where the winds have been at work and the snow surfaces are a little weaker. Again CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in the late morning and afternoon today as the sun heats up the new snow, causing accelerated creep and adding stress to the snowpack. Things will almost certainly get active today with daytime heating. Slab releases are possible.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

SEUtah Mountain Weather at 10,000 ft.

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 31. South wind between 10 and 15 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 20. South wind between 10 and 15 mph. Monday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. Breezy, with a south southwest wind between 20 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Monday Night: Areas of blowing snow and a chance of snow before midnight, then snow likely and areas of blowing snow after midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 16. Breezy, with a west southwest wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible. Tuesday: A 30 percent chance of snow before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. West wind between 5 and 15 mph. Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14.


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.