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.

High Avalanche Danger in the Mountains of SE Utah at this time. Storm totals of 1-2 feet are being reported with more on the way. Backcountry travelers should be able to recognize and avoid avalanche terrain and runout zones. Bundle Up!

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

Very Cold Temperatures are the morning weather headline. 3 Degrees F in Moab, -5 Degrees F at the Geyser Pass Snotel and -12 degrees F on Pre-Laurel Peak. Bundle up if you go out today and check your partners for frostbite. There should be some fine powder skiing and riding in the mountains of SE Utah, but be careful of thin ground cover and continuing avalanche danger. 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 San Juan County Road Dept. Opened up access to the East side of the La Sals via the Dark canyon trailhead yesterday and the road foreman says they'll get to the Geyser Pass road and lot today. If you get up there before the plows, 4WD and Chains are recommended. We'll be running them this morning.

SNOW TOTALS SO FAR:

7-8 inches of new snow reported in Moab. More in Castle Valley and Locations in Spanish Valley.

14" snow @ 9800' in the La Sals, 1.6" h2o

27" snow @ 8600' in the Abajos, 3.0" h2o (!)

None reported or observed. Yet. Expect things to get wild above treeline. Hopefully we'll have visibility today. There has been a lot of avalanche activity in the San Juans, both natural and with control work.

National Weather Service Forecast for 10,000 Ft. :

Another significant surge of Pacific moisture is forecast to hit our region over the weekend. Highlights to emerge as we get closer to the event.

Today: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 14. Wind chill values as low as -20. Southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph. Tonight: A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 3. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph becoming calm. Thursday: Cloudy, with a high near 25. South wind around 5 mph becoming west. Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 10. South wind around 15 mph. Friday: A 20 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 22. South southeast wind around 10 mph becoming west. Friday Night: A 30 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a low around 12. Saturday: A 40 percent chance of snow. Cloudy, with a high near 22.

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. We'll meet at 8:00 AM at the Moab Area Arts and Recreation Center, then head up on the mountain.

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.