Moab Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Dave Medara

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT


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. Expect to find MODERATE avalanche dangers with the new snow and pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger in wind drifted areas at and above treeline. Watch daytime heating as the pops out today and tomorrow with loading on E-SE-S-SW facing slopes. wet slides are likely when the snow gets warm on these sunny aspects.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

3-4 inches of new snow has fallen in the Mtns. of SE Utah yesterday. 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 afternoon yesterday and last night from the North and Northwest have moved 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". We didn't pick up much more new snow, but watch what winds have been doing.


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. :

Today:

Scattered snow showers, mainly before noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 28. Blustery, with a north wind between 15 and 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight:

Mostly clear, with a low around 16. Northeast wind between 10 and 15 mph.

Sunday:

Sunny, with a high near 41. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming northwest.

Sunday Night:

Mostly clear, with a low around 24. South southeast wind between 5 and 10 mph.

Monday:

Sunny, with a high near 46. Southeast wind 5 to 10 mph becoming

southwest

.

Monday Night:

Partly cloudy and breezy, with a low around 28.

Tuesday:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 52.

Tuesday Night:

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29.

Wednesday:

A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 48.

Wednesday Night:

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18.

Thursday:

Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 37.


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.