Moab Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Max Forgensi

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

This is a special avalanche statement for the mountains of southeast Utah.

The Utah Avalanche Center -Moab is closing its doors for the 2011-2012 season. Spring time and spring conditions are upon us and there are some important pointers to take with you up to the mountains to ensure that a spring outing is safe and successful.

Start early and end early. Starting from Moab at 5:00 am is not out of the question. Use aspects as your friend. Ski east facing slopes early, followed by south, west and eventually north.

Northerly aspects at an above tree line still hold cold snow, so be careful. It will be a couple weeks before spring skiing occurs on northerly aspects.

Ensure that there has been an adequate freeze by checking the SNOTEL sites located on the Moab Advisory page. If you start seeing roller balls or pinwheels and/or you start punching through the snow, it is time to call it a day and enjoy the pursuits in the desert.

Have fun! We will see you next year. Until then, have a safe and enjoyable spring, summer and fall.

Max Forgensi


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.