Advisory: Moab Area Mountains | utahavalanchecenter.org

Avalanche Advisory

Advisory: Moab Area Mountains	Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - February 14, 2015 - 7:00am

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

current conditions

The snow pack is getting tired and thin, and in spite of the past week's optimism for beautiful mountain scenery and high elevation re-crystallized powder, I must say it is getting harder to remain enthusiastic in the face of the incredible shrinking snow pack. Snow surface conditions are mostly a variety of wind and sun crusts with only occasional pockets of soft, powder-like snow found in extremely sheltered areas. Corn-like conditions are developing on sun exposed slopes but the problem is in finding a continuous line as many southerly aspects are melted out down to the ground.

Light north easterly winds overnight have shifted to the SW this morning. Temperatures are already warm at 36 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak.

Bare south facing slopes above 11,000'

North faces hanging in there but the snow isn't exactly soft.

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.

Low snow conditions continue to plague the Abajo 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: Continued warm temperatures and sunny skies mean it will be important to remain 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 of 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 where 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: Continued warm temperatures and sunny skies mean it will be important to remain 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 of 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 where 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

Warm, mostly sunny, spring-like conditions will continue through the weekend with daytime highs in the mid 40's. A weak cold front will affect our area Monday into Tuesday bringing us a slight chance of snow and much colder temperatures. High pressure begins to build after that with a return to drier conditions later in the week.

general announcements

Road Conditions: The road is packed and passable but also melting out and getting sloppy on the lower end.

Grooming Conditions: Trails are being groomed this 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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