Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - December 28, 2013 - 6:57am
bottom line

There is currently a LEVEL 2 (MODERATE) avalanche danger at this time. Buried, persistent slabs overlying weak, sugary snow, remain the prime area of concern. Though continually lessening, this problem still exists on mid to upper elevation slopes steeper than about 35 degrees that have a NW-NE aspect. Elsewhere in the range, the avalanche danger is generally LOW.
current conditions

Snow surface conditions run the full gamete out there right now. Everything from sun crusts on sunny exposures, to wind crusts on exposed shadier aspects. Soft, settled, re-crystallized powder conditions can still be found in sheltered areas, but you really have to search them out. A trip deep into Gold Basin yesterday revealed that pesky, northerly winds had managed to sift through all but the most sheltered terrain. Today, expect partly sunny skies with increasing west winds at 10-15 mph. High temperatures at 10,000' will be around freezing. There is currently 22" on the ground at Geyser Pass Trailhead, and 35" in Gold Basin.
recent activity

.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Buried, persistent slabs continue to be the main area of concern. Though the odds of triggering one of these slabs are growing less likely,one triggered would be large and dangerous. These persistent slabs rest on top of a variety of persistent weak layers including buried surface hoar, depth hoar, and facet/crust combinations. You are most likely to find these slabs on upper elevation, NW-NE aspects steeper than 35 degrees. Be particularly leery of rocky terrain and areas beneath cliff bands. Suspect areas with a smooth, rounded appearance, and be alert to the many steep convexities in our mountain range. This type of terrain can lure you far down a slope to where if a slide is released, it will fracture well above you.
weather

Expect partly sunny skies in the mountains today with high temperatures at 10,000' to be around freezing. Moderate west winds will pick up today, increasing tonight into the 15- 20 mph range and shifting to more northerly. By Sunday, things look to be quite blustery with NW winds gusting to 30 mph as a weak system passes to our north. A dry, northwest flow continues to be our pattern for most of the upcoming week.

Current wind and temperature readings from Pre-Laurel Peak

Temperature and new snow totals in Gold Basin

general announcements

OBSERVATIONS: If you are out and about in the mountains, I'd love to know what you are seeing. Please submit your OBSERVATIONS HERE

LUNA GROOMING INFORMATION: Groomers were out yesterday and they went up to Geyser Pass and around the meadows up there. The road into Gold Basin is not freshly groomed but is holding up well. 

ROAD CONDITIONS: The road is clear with a packed surface of snow. 

UAC MOBILE APP: Get your advisory on your iphone with this app