Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - January 13, 2015 - 6:59am
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There is an overall MODERATE danger for triggering loose snow and soft slab avalanches within the new snow on all aspects steeper than 35 degrees. At upper elevations, areas of CONSIDERABLE danger may exist on slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have a NW-N-NE aspect. There also remains a MODERATE danger of triggering a persistent slab on steep, upper elevation slopes with a NW-N-E aspect, particularly in rocky areas that have a thin snowpack.




special announcement

The Utah Avalanche Center Moab will be offering a free "Know Before You Go" avalanche awareness class Thursday, January 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Grand County Library.
current conditions

La Sal Mountains

What a difference a day can make! The mountains received 10-12" of new snow over the past 24 hours, most if it falling since 8 p.m. last night. Conditions today will be powder, powder, powder on all aspects. South winds between 4:00 and 8:00 p.m. yesterday blew in the low 20's with gusts near 30 mph, but when the bulk of the snow came in, they backed off to around 10 mph with occasional gusts into the high teens.

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.

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 24 hours
description

Today, expect to be able to trigger loose sluffs and sensitive soft slabs within the new snow. Though these slides won't pack a terrific punch, they have the potential to entrain a fair amount of snow. Danger will increase with elevation and as usual, steep slopes above tree line with a NW-N-NE aspect have the greatest potential for avalanche activity. Exercise caution on or under slopes steeper than about 35 degrees, and put in a ski or test cut across these slopes before committing to dropping in.

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 weaknesses in our snowpack have not gone away and the danger remains for triggering a persistent slab on upper-mid to upper elevation slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have a NW-N-E aspect, particularly in areas of rocky terrain that have a thin shallow snowpack.
weather

Snow showers will linger today with another 2-4" possible. South winds will be light and the high temperature at 10,000' will be around 27 degrees. Wednesday looks to be sunny as high pressure develops for the remainder of the week.
general announcements


Road Conditions: Expect the road to be covered with up to 8" of snow today. 4wd and possibly chains will be a must. 

Grooming Conditions: 8"-10" of new snow will be covering the trails today. 

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

EMAIL ADVISORY  If you would like to get the daily advisory by email you will need to subscribe here.​ 

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI:  Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC.  Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

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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.