Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - January 9, 2015 - 7:03am
bottom line

With daytime heating, the danger for wet slide activity will rise to MODERATE today, on sun exposed slopes. Though greatly diminished, there still remains a MODERATE danger for triggering a low probability-high consequence persistent slab on slopes steeper than 35 degrees, primarily at upper mid to upper elevation terrain that has a NW-N-E aspect.
current conditions

Today will be the last sunny day for a few days and temperatures will be a bit cooler. The snow surface is a variety of breakable wind and sun crusts with only a few sporadic areas of soft powder like conditions on sheltered, upper elevation slopes. By mid day, sun exposed slopes are getting sloppy.

Wind speeds and temperature at 11,700' on Pre-Laurel Peak.

New snow totals and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead.

New snow totals and temperature in Gold Basin.

Brian Murdock and I poked around near Burro pass yesterday and we ran across a couple of older slab avalanches that likely occurred during the December 31, southeast wind event. Up to 4' deep, they certainly involved old snow, starting as a wind slab and then stepping down into our persistent weak layers. For details and photos click here.

Thanks to everyone who has been posting recent observations. You can post new observations here.
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 10 hours
description

Temperatures today will not be as warm as the past couple of days, but the danger for wet slide activity still exists on sun exposed slopes. Pay attention to the snow and watch for it to start feeling sloppy. Also be alert to tell tale signs of instability such as roller balls or cinnamon rolls coming down the mountain.

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

Most of the weaknesses in the snowpack are now lying dormant but it seems like we are never fully out of the woods with regards to persistent slab danger in mid winter in the La Sal Mountains. Areas of greatest concern are upper elevation slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have a NW-N-E aspect, particularly in rocky areas that have a thin snowpack.

weather

Today will be the last sunny day for a few days as a series of short wave troughs begin to affect our area tomorrow. Temperatures will be cooler today with highs at 10,000' in the mid 30's. Southwest winds will be light at 10-15 mph. Tonight clouds will begin to move in and temperatures will drop into the high teens. The weekend will be mostly cloudy with our best chance for light snow coming on Sunday.

general announcements


Road Conditions: The road is plowed.

Grooming Conditions: It should be great conditions for skating and classic cross country skiing if you get on it early.

Observations: If you are out and about, I would love to know what you are seeing. Please post your observations here.

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This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always exist. This advisory will be updated on Saturday, January 3 or sooner if conditions warrant.