Advisory: Moab Area Mountains | utahavalanchecenter.org

Avalanche Advisory

Advisory: Moab Area Mountains	Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - February 6, 2015 - 7:05am

bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW at this time but low danger doesn't mean no danger. With daytime heating there may be some potential for wet slide activity on sun exposed slopes. There also remains an isolated possibility for triggering a buried persistent slab on steep shady aspects in upper elevation terrain, particularly in rocky areas that have a thin shallow snowpack.

current conditions

"June-uary" is a new term I heard the other day to describe the month of weather we have been having. Today will continue to be very spring-like with warm, sunny and breezy conditions. Snow conditions remain mixed out there though there are a few diamonds in the rough. I made a trip high up into Miner's Basin yesterday and found settled, creamy, re-crystallized powder on sheltered wooded slopes, and a variety of wind and sun crusts on exposed aspects. High elevation, wind exposed terrain has been scoured down to the rocks in some areas, and southerly aspects are quite thin. NW winds were light most of the day yesterday but have been on the increase since about 9:00 p.m. shifting to southwesterly and averaging 20-25 mph along ridge tops. Overnight lows have dipped below freezing to 29 degrees.

Wind scoured north facing terrain.

Thin snow cover on southerly aspects.

La Sal Mountains Current Weather

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.

Abajo / Blue Mountains.

Winds and temperature on Abajo Peak.

Snow total at Buckboard Flat.

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 The avalanche danger is generally low at this time but as always, maintaining awareness of current and changing conditions is paramount for safety in the mountains and here are a couple of things to remain aware of. Wet slides: Though I saw no signs of wet instability yesterday, continued warm temperatures and sunny skies means it will be important to be on the lookout for sloppy snow conditions on sunny aspects. If signs of instability such as sloppy wet snow, pinwheels, or wet point releases present themselves, it means it is time to stay off if and out from under steep, sun exposed slopes. Persistent Slab: In general we have reached a point where conditions are "weak but stable" and the chances of triggering a persistent slab are unlikely. Nevertheless, there still may be isolated areas where it is possible to trigger a persistent slab. Areas wher you may find this problem are 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.

type

aspect/elevation

characteristics

LIKELIHOOD

LIKELY

UNLIKELY

SIZE

LARGE

SMALL

TREND

INCREASING DANGER

SAME

DECREASING DANGER

over the next 24 hours

description

The avalanche danger is generally low at this time but as always, maintaining awareness of current and changing conditions is paramount for safety in the mountains and here are a couple of things to remain aware of.

Wet slides: Though I saw no signs of wet instability yesterday, continued warm temperatures and sunny skies means it will be important to be on the lookout for sloppy snow conditions on sunny aspects. If signs of instability such as sloppy wet snow, pinwheels, or wet point releases present themselves, it means it is time to stay off if and out from under steep, sun exposed slopes.

Persistent Slab: In general we have reached a point where conditions are "weak but stable" and the chances of triggering a persistent slab are unlikely. Nevertheless, there still may be isolated areas where it is possible to trigger a persistent slab. Areas wher you may find this problem are 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

Near record temperatures are on tap for today with highs in the upper 40's at 10,000'. Skies will be sunny and ridge top winds will blow in the 20 mph range from the southwest. Overnight lows should drop to just below freezing. Saturday may see a few clouds with continued warm temperatures.

general announcements

Road Conditions: The road is packed and passable.

Grooming Conditions: Trails are scheduled to be groomed Friday and Monday and conditions will be firm and fast in the morning.

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 Thursday, January 22.

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