Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - March 15, 2014 - 7:24am
bottom line

Today there will be a MODERATE danger on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, primarily at upper elevations, where you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

There also remains a MODERATE danger of triggering a deep, buried, persistent slab on mid to upper elevation slopes, steeper than 35 degrees that face the north half of the compass.

Elsewhere, the avalanche danger is generally LOW.




current conditions

La Sal Mountains

Today will not be the day for corn skiing. In fact, it may be a day for playing in the desert. Clouds are building over the mountains, and winds have been on the increase overnight blowing in the 20-30 mph range from the NW. Expect to find crusted and frozen surfaces on sun exposed slopes, and wind damaged snow on exposed northerly aspects. It is currently 20 degrees at 10,000'.

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

Continued low snow, and spring like snow conditions reign over the Abajo Mountains. Many slopes with S-E-SW aspects are already melted off down to the ground.

Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak.

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8968')

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

With strong winds, and periods of blowing snow in the forecast, there may be some shallow wind slabs developing at upper elevations along the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features. They should be small and manageable, but could possibly knock you off your feet in more extreme terrain.

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

The danger of triggering a persistent slab has become very isolated, though It still may be possible to trigger one in areas that have the weakest snow. Areas of weakest snow can be found in steep, rocky, or slightly wooded terrain, facing the north half of the compass, at upper mid to upper elevations. Or right around tree line. I would still exercise caution in these areas.

weather

Today, look for mostly cloudy skies, and periods of blowing snow, though only trace amounts are likely. NW winds will average 25-35 mph with gusting along ridge tops up to 45 mph. High temperatures at 10,000' will be around 34 degrees. Sunday looks to be sunny and warm with a highs near 40 degrees.

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: The road into Gold Basin was groomed on Friday afternoon. 

ROAD CONDITIONS: The road is passable, alternating between patches of dry ground, packed snow and ice that gets sloppy late in the day.

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