Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - December 1, 2014 - 6:25pm
bottom line

Due to low snow conditions, a generally LOW avalanche danger is present at this time. Isolated persistent slabs, overlying weak faceted snow, can be found on mid-upper elevation slopes with a NE-NW aspect. Suspect areas of obvious wind deposition such as gullies and on the lee sides of terrain features.




special announcement

The Utah Avalanche Center Moab office is open for the season. We will begin issuing regular advisories as more snow begins to accumulate.

current conditions

Mountain weather conditions at 11,700' on Pre-Laurel Peak.

Snow totals at Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Well it's not exactly game on yet. The first significant snow of the season fell on November 3, depositing 10" of dense snow at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, and up to 18" at upper elevations. Two more storms, about a week apart, brought 6-10" a piece to the La Sal Mountains, but winds and warm temperatures have significantly diminished and weakened the early season snowpack. Upper elevation, wind exposed terrain has been scoured down to the rocks, and sun exposed slopes are melted off. Wooded areas are too thinly covered for safe travel. Best bet for winter recreation right now is for cross country skiing or snowmobiling on the Geyser Pass Road which is snowpacked and covered. There is currently 10" of snow on the ground at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and 22" in Gold Basin.

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

Isolated persistent slabs exist on northerly upper mid elevation slopes, though you will be hard pressed to get into these areas due to general lack of snow cover. These slabs overly weak faceted snow that has formed over the past month, and if you are in the right spot, you could trigger one and take an extremely rough ride over barely covered rocks. These stiff slabs exist as isolated pockets and can be found in areas of likely deposition such as gullies and on the lee sides of terrain features. They are fairly easy to identify and are characterized by a stiff hollow feel. Suspect areas in the wind zone that have greater snow cover.

weather

A weakening Pacific storm system will affect our area beginning late on Tuesday and extending into Thursday. Mild temperatures will keep snow levels high and the mountains may see 2"- 4" through the period. Skies should be clear on Friday with another weak shot at some snow over the weekend.

Tuesday: A 20 percent chance of snow after 4pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 40. West southwest wind around 10 mph.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Wednesday: A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 38. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Wednesday Night: A 40 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph.

Thursday: A 30 percent chance of snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 38.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Friday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.

Saturday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 35.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 23.

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 34.

general announcements

There will be a volunteer trail grooming clinic sponsored by the Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA), in partnership with the Manti-La Sal National Forest, on Saturday, December 13. A one hour session at 8:00 a.m. at the Moab Arts and Recreation Center will be followed by hands on instruction at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. For more information contact Kirsten Peterson at 435-260-0042.

This advisory will be updated on Saturday, December 6 or sooner if conditions warrant.