Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - February 28, 2014 - 6:33am
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There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger at upper elevations in areas that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. This danger is expected to rise if forecasted amounts of snow materialize. There is a MODERATE avalanche danger at mid and lower elevations.




special avalanche bulletin

  
current conditions

La Sal Mountains

The mountains picked up 4"-6" of moderately dense, new snow over the past 24 hours. SW winds blew strong yesterday, averaging 20-30 mph along ridge tops with one gust recorded at 70 mph! They have backed off this morning and are in the single digits from the WSW. Temperatures have been on a steady decline since yesterday and it is currently 20 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, and 12 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak.

Winds and temperature on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,705')

Temperature and new snow totals in Gold Basin (10,050')

Total snow depth and temperature near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9850')

Abajo Mountains

Buckboard Flat is reporting a couple inches of new snow. Low snow conditions still prevail in the Abajos, with total water content for the year coming in at 56% of normal. Winds on Abajo Peak are averaging 20 -30 mph from the WSW. It is currently 27 degrees at Buckboard Flat. ' .​

Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak (11,330')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8968')
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

Expect to find shallow wind slabs at upper elevations on slopes with a NW-E-SE aspect. These slabs will grow in size and become more dangerous as winds increase through the day, and especially into the weekend as new snow piles up.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

In my travels yesterday, I was still observing collapsing of the snow pack, a strong reminder that there is plenty of weak snow under there. The danger for triggering a deeper, persistent slab will rise over the weekend as new snow piles up.

weather

We will get a little lull today between storms with what looks like a little sunshine this morning. Clouds will build today ahead of a powerful Pacific Storm slated to hit us tonight through Saturday.SW winds will be on the increase today, averaging 2-30 mph along ridge tops by this afternoon. 4"-8" of new snow are possible tonight, with an other 3"-7" on Saturday. Showers should linger into Sunday.

general announcements

OBSERVATIONS: If you are out and about in the mountains, I'd love to know what you are seeing so please SUBMIT OBSERVATIONS  You can read current OBSERVATIONS HERE.

LUNA GROOMING INFORMATION: Grooming is on hold due to the impending storm.

ROAD CONDITIONS: The road is not plowed but is passable.

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