Moab Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Dave Medara

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

We are winding the season down here at the La Sal Avalanche Center and will only be putting forecasts out 2-3 times per week. Our last forecast will be on the second of April. The Utah Avalanche Center has put together a survey that we'd love for you folks to complete: LINK TO SURVEY. Thanks for a great season.

BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

MODERATE to CONSIDERABLE avalanche dangers exist in SE Utah with new snow, high winds and an extremely weak E-NE-NW facing snowpack. We have not made the transition to spring conditions yet in the high country, and dry winter snow falling on these E-NE-NW facing slopes is still a major concern. Avalanches are being observed in the La Sals and snowfall continues. Keep the slope angles down or stay in the trees. The tree skiing is reportedly quite good.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

Snow continues in dribs and drabs across SE Utah. We've picked up another inch or so since Saturday afternoon and more light snow is heading our way. Skiing and riding conditions are excellent at the moment with wind damage at the higher elevations. It is still a winter snowpack with the best conditions being on the shady E-NE-NW facing slopes.

Roads into the La Sals have not been plowed yet, but are passable. 4wd or chains recommended.

The Lower Utah Nordic Alliance has stopped grooming operations for the 2010-2011 season. Thanks Volunteers!.

RECENT ACTIVITY

Class 2 activity in Gold Basin NE facing reported Saturday. Tele-Heaven on Tukno.

THREAT #1
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Click here for an explanation of the North American Danger Rating system

General snowy trend continues and winter remains solidly in place in the La Sals and the Abajos. Temperatures barely broke the freezing mark at 10,000 feet today and that it not going to get us into a corn cycle anytime soon. Consistent snowfall, wind loading and a very weak shady side snowpack are keeping the avalanche danger CONSIDERABLE on steep E-NE-NW facing slopes and MODERATE on others. Human triggered avalanches remain a strong possibility, especially where the skiing is best....

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

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

Tonight:

Snow likely, mainly after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West southwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south southeast. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Monday:

A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 35. West southwest wind between 10 and 15 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Monday Night:

A 20 percent chance of snow before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Blustery, with a west northwest wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to between 5 and 10 mph. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

Tuesday:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. North northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday Night:

A 20 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming south southeast.

Wednesday:

A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny and breezy, with a high near 37.

Wednesday Night:

Partly cloudy and blustery, with a low around 26.

Thursday:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 41.

Thursday Night:

Partly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Friday:

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

Friday Night:

Partly cloudy, with a low around 36.

Saturday:

A chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 46.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

We will update this message by Wednesday morning.

If you see an avalanche or would like to share any snowpack observations (please do!) you can call us at 435-636-3363, e-mail Dave at : dave@utahavalanche center.org, or use the backcountry observations form here. These observations really help!

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.