Advisory: Moab Area Mountains | Issued by Max Forgensi for January 12, 2013 - 6:59am |
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bottom line The Bottom Line for today will be an Avalanche Danger of MODERATE for the mountains of southeast Utah. A shallow snow pack, new snow and cold temperatures will continue to stress and weaken snow on N-NE-E-SE aspects, making persistent slabs a possibility on slopes greater than 35 degrees.
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special announcement The Utah Avalanhe Center - Moab will teach a basic avalanche awareness course on Friday, January 18th at 6:30 pm at the Grand County Public Library. The following day, Saturday, January 19th, there will be an Avalanche Rescue Clinic at the Geyser Pass Winter TH at 10:00 am. Both of these events are free and open to anyone who would like to attend. The 3-day AIARE Level I course on February 1st-3rd is filled. If you want to get on the waitlist, call 435-636-3355.
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current conditions Over the past 36 hours, a low pressure system passed through southeast Utah, scouring out the inverted valleys, producing snow and leaving bone-chilling temperatures in its wake. Pre-Laurel Peak is registering -12F this morning, Abajo Peak -10F, Gold Basin -10F and Moab a balmy 10 degrees. Over the past 24 hours, Gold Basin received over 6" of light density snow (0.4" H20) while Camp Jackson down in the Abajo's received an inch or so. Snow coverage in the Abajos is still a bit meager, 39% under average this time of year while the La Sals are hovering 4% above average. Camp Jackson holds 21" of snow on the ground, the Geyser Pass Winter TH 24" and Gold Basin just over 36". If your heading up to the mountains today, I would advise you to bring all the clothing you usually wonder why you bring at all...this weekend you'll need it. The roads will be snow packed, 4WD is recommended. LUNA volunteers are heading up today to groom the entire track. Without dedicated LUNA volunteers, this program would not be possible. Thanks everyone! |
recent activity Since the great North Wind of January 3rd, no new avalanches have been reported. We need your observations! Please post them under the DETAILED INFO drop down menu on any of the Utah Avalanche Center webpages. Make sure your choose Moab as your location. |
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Pre-frontal winds did not have too much snow to blow around early Friday morning, distributing any new snow with limited wind affect. Loose snow sluffs will be a possibility yet present only a low danger to back country enthusiasts. |
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Persistent slabs need to be addressed. Old wind slabs overlying faceted basal layers are a recipe for avalanches in any continental snow pack. Our norther San Juan neighbors have had numerous large avalanches triggered from persistent slabs in the past week. With our base hovering at a meter (40") of snow, diurnal temperature swings can drive faceted growth near the ground and the weight of a back country traveler can trigger avalanches at any interface. |
weather Today: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly after 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 11. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. |
general annoucements The Friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center has been an important partner of the UAC-Moab for over 20 years by providing field observers, weather instrumentation, maintaining weather stations and funding. Go to their www.moabavalanche.org to donate today! |