Moab Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Dave Medara

AVALANCHE WARNING »

Dangerous avalanche conditions are occuring or are imminent. Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.
Notice:

Dangerous avalanche conditions are occurring or are imminent.

Backcountry travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.

THE LA SAL AVALANCHE CENTER HAS ISSUED AN AVALANCHE WARNING IS FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF SOUTHEASTERN UTAH INCLUDING THE LA SAL AND ABAJO MOUNTAINS

UP TO 2 FEET OF NEW SNOW COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS HAS OVERLOADED BURIED

LAYERS OF VERY WEAK SNOW NEAR THE GROUND, CREATING LARGE AND VERY

DANGEROUS AVALANCHES. BACKCOUNTRY TRAVELERS SHOULD STAY OFF OF AND

OUT FROM UNDERNEATH ANY SLOPE STEEPER THAN ABOUT 30 DEGREES.

LINGERING AVALANCHE DANGER MAY PERSIST THROUGH THE WEEK.


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

High Avalanche Danger in the Mountains of SE Utah at this time. Travel in or below potential avalanche terrain is NOT recommended. Storm totals of 1-2 feet are being reported with more on the way. Be careful.

Click here to see the newly revised North American Avalanche Danger Scale.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

A strong winter storm winter storm is pummeling SE Utah at the moment. Mountain stations are reporting 1-2 feet across the region and some automated stations (La Sal Snotel) are having difficulty coping with the heavy snowfall and winds. Heavy snowfall is expected to continue throughout the day today. The Abajo Mountains west of Monticello are topping the charts right now with 25" of snow containing 2.8" of water.

It goes without saying that snow conditions in SE Utah will be improving. Right now the problem will be access, followed by safety once access is gained. Be careful out there and stay off of, and out from under, slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

The Geyser Pass Road and the La Sal Loop road are unplowed as of 4:00 PM Monday, and it will be late today before the plows get up there. With high winds and abundant snow, expect challenging driving conditions. 4WD and chains recommended for Tuesday (and a big shovel) if you decide to venture up to the trailheads.


RECENT ACTIVITY

None reported or observed. Yet. Expect things to get wild above treeline.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 48 hours.

Click here to see the newly revised North American Avalanche Danger Scale.

A strong winter storm has hit the La Sal and Abajo Mountains. High Avalanche Danger in mountain terrain steeper than 30 degrees that were covered by snow before this latest storm. 1-2 feet of new snow has fallen across the region combined with strong winds from the South and Southwest. This new snow has fallen onto an unstable base of old snow. The old underlying snowpack, sitting around re-crystallizing since October, has grown weaker over time. These Faceted Grains in the old snow create a poor bonding layer for new slabs of wind drifted snow to form on, and quite often result in large and sensitive avalanches that can be triggered from great distances. This is a common scenario in the early season at these latitudes. Remember, it is not just the slope you're on but what's above you that can be dangerous. Natural and Human triggered avalanches are likely. travel in avalanche terrain is not recommended.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

National Weather Service Forecast for 10,000 Ft. :

Today: Snow showers and areas of blowing snow. The snow could be heavy at times. Areas of fog before 11am. High near 18. Breezy, with a west wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 7 to 11 inches possible. Tonight: A 40 percent chance of snow. Areas of fog after 11pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 1. West wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph. Wednesday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Areas of fog before 11am. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 19. South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west. Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 12. South southwest wind around 5 mph. Thursday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 19. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Thursday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 5. Friday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 20. Friday Night: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 10. Saturday: A chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 22.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

LUNA Groomer Training December 12th - Contact Kiersten Peterson at 260-0042 if you are interested in volunteering for the Lower Utah Nordic Alliance grooming team.

Basic Avalanche Awareness Class - Grand County Library, January 12th - 5:30 - 8:00 PM.

LSAC Level One Avalanche Class - 3 days, January 29 - 31 - Call 435-636-3363 to reserve a spot or get more info.


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.