Moab Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Dave Medara

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

The LSAC still has room for more folks in both our Level 1 (Jan 28-30) and our Level 2 (Feb 3-6) Avalanche Courses. These courses are provided through the American Institute for Avalanche Research and Education who offer an excellent curriculum and teaching methods. They're also inexpensive!


BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

The BOTTOM LINE for today in the Abajo and La Sal Mountains is an avalanche danger of CONSIDERABLE or Level 3.

8-10 inches of new snow in the La Sals, 4-5 inches in the Abajos. Brutally cold temperatures across the region.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

A more-than-forecast 8-10 inches of new snow has fallen in the La Sal Mountains yesterday and overnight, with about half of that falling in the Abajos. The La Sals liked the more westerly flow we were in and skiing and riding conditions are again reset with fresh powder. The new stuff is very light density and reports are that it is quite nice.

TEMPERATURES ARE BRUTALLY COLD! -18 at Gold Basin Study Plot, -12 on Pre-Laurel Peak, -5 at Geyser Pass TH.

Contrary to the above reports is the condition of the roads in La Sals at the moment. Apparently the roads are REALLY BAD, with icing issues on the La Sal Loop road and snow on the Geyser Pass road. Apparently it's the ice that is the main issue and there were several car and trailers off the road last night and a near pile-up. We'll keep you posted as information comes in about the road situation.

Grooming is scheduled for today but.....


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 48 hours.

With 8-10 inches of new snow and 10 hours of NW winds in the double digits last night we can expect to find some wind drifting onto E-SE-SW-W facing slopes, especially near ridgelines and mountaintops. We are calling the Avalanche Danger in these area CONSIDERABLE or LEVEL3, meaning that human triggered avalanches are likely and natural avalanches are possible.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Weaker, highly layered snowpack structures have been identified in the Central Group of the La Sals and quite likely exist in the Northern Group as well. These areas have less snow than the the South Mountains area of the La Sals and the Abajo Mountains.

With both surface hoar and faceted crystals buried in the snowpack between individual storm layers, the snowpack has serious structural issues. In short, you just can't trust it. Heads up on steep E-NE-NW facing slopes in areas with a shallower snowpack. It may still be possible to trigger an avalanche into old snow in these areas, especially with the added weight of yesterday's snow.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

NOAA MOUNTAIN WEATHER FORECAST FOR THE LA SALS @10,000FT:

Today: A 20 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 22. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around -6. Wind chill values as low as -20. North northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 23. Wind chill values as low as -20. West northwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Tuesday Night: A 20 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 6. West southwest wind between 5 and 10 mph. Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 30. Calm wind becoming west northwest around 5 mph. Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 14. Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Thursday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Friday: A slight chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 35. Friday Night: A slight chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will update this message by Wednesday morning, sooner if conditions change.

The Utah Avalanche Center has a limited number of discount lift tickets available for Brian Head Ski Resort. Follow this link for more information: http://www.backcountry.com/utah-avalanche-center

The LSAC will be offering 2 avalanche classes this year. Our yearly Level 1 class will be held January 28, 29 and 30 of this winter season. The level 1 class focuses on avalanche phenomena, recognition and management of terrain where you might encounter these beasts and basic rescue.

This season, if we can pick up 6 participants, we are also hoping to do a Level 2 class. Tentative dates for the class are February 3-6. It is a 4-day class reviewing the basics covered in level 1, then carrying the subject matter further, exploring snowpack formation, crystal analysis, climactic effects and advanced rescue.

Call 435-636-3363 and speak to Dave or Max for more information or to sign up for one of the classes.


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.