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

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

New snow depths are being measured in the 3-4 inch range in both the La Sal and Abajo Mtns. More is forecast for tonight. Expect to find MODERATEavalanche dangers with the new snow and pockets of CONSIDERABLEdanger in wind drifted areas at and above treeline. More snow is on the way so we expect the avalanche danger to rise with a poor bond being already being reported between the old and new snow from observers today.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

3-4 inches of new snow has fallen in the Mtns. of SE Utah today. Good conditions are being reported on north facing slopes and consistent dust on crust conditions are the report from the sunny side. Not exactly spring skiing conditions but not bad

Roads to Mountain Trailheads haven't been cleared since the last storm. Expect drifting.Shovel 4wd and chains recommended.

Grooming has been buried yet again on the La Sal Nordic Track. No word on the next grooming mission.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 48 hours.

Avalanche dangers ave risen to MODERATE with pockets of CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on upper elevation downwind slopes where deeper drifting may occur. Winds late today and tonight from the North and Northwest are moving new snow onto sunny side slopes. Upper elevation E-SE-S facing slopes (or any localized area with heavier loading) must be approached with caution. Human triggered avalanches are possible. Max Forgensi was up today and reported that there was a poor bond between the old and new snow and that if we got more snow, "we'd have a problem".

MORE snow is forecast for tonight. If the forecast amounts materialize (check NWS snotel summary link from this page!) then "we might have a problem" in the form of CONSIDERABLE/HIGH avalanche danger. Watch tonight's snow totals!


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 48 hours.

Wet slides are likely after daytime heating this weekend. With the new snow being loaded onto sunny side slopes, wet slabs are possible in addition to the expected point releases. Be prepared to get off sunny side slopes early when the sun comes out. We may see the sun as early as the late AM hours Saturday morning.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

National Weather Service Forecast for 10,000 Ft. :

Tonight: Snow showers. Low around 14. Northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of 4 to 6 inches possible. Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 31. North northwest wind between 5 and 15 mph. Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 16. East northeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 39. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm. Sunday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 24. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph. Monday: Sunny, with a high near 46. Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 48. Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Wednesday: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We would like to thank the hard working volunteers at the Friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. Without their help the center would not meet it's funding or staffing requirements. Thanks all! If you would like more information about donating to the Friends or simply helping out, click here..

This advisory will expire in 48 hours.

We cannot receive messages on our 259-SNOW line. If you would like to leave us an observation or a message, you my reach us at 435-636-3363.


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.