Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - February 23, 2015 - 10:05am
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In the Abajo Mountains there is a CONSIDERABLE danger for triggering newly formed, soft wind slabs, as well as storm slabs on all slopes steeper than 35 degrees primarily in wind exposed, upper elevation terrain. There is also a CONSIDERABLE danger for triggering a buried persistent slab on slopes steeper than 35 degrees that have a NW-N-E aspect. In the La Sal Mountains there is a MODERATE danger for triggering recently deposited shallow wind slabs, primarily in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain.




special avalanche bulletin

This advisory has been updated to reflect changing conditions and additional data received from the Abajo Mountains which have received 10-15" of snow overnight. This new snow has fallen on weak underlying snow pack creating dangerous avalanche conditions in the Abajos where human triggered avalanches are likely on all slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. Backcountry travelers are advised to use extreme caution in the mountains today. 

current conditions

La Sal Mountains

Riding just along the northern edge of this storm, Gold Basin is only reporting a little over 4" this morning. Conditions will be slightly refreshed in some areas, particularly where it has been blown in, but it's a far cry from the powder conditions we were expecting to see by this morning. More snow is in the forecast today, but the way things have gone with this one it is likely to be more of a southern phenomenon affecting primarily the Abajos. Winds yesterday blew first out of the SE then switched to southerly before shifting to the WSW averaging 20 mph with gusts into the 30's. They have been averaging 15-20 mph from the SE since about 6:00 a.m. It's currently 15 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak and 23 at the Geyser Pass trail head.

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 Current Weather

The Abajo's faired much better in this storm picking up about 10-15" of snow at Camp Jackson. Snow conditions have been extremely low in the Abajos this season so in many areas this new snow will have fallen on bare ground. The mountains could see and additional 3-7" today. Winds on Abajo Peak were mostly well behaved blowing from the ESE yesterday at around 10 mph with occasional gusts into the 20's.

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

La Sal Mountains

Today be on the lookout for shallow, recently deposited wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features. They will most likely be found on exposed, upper elevation terrain, on slopes that face the north half of the compass. These shallow slabs should be mostly benign though they could possibly sweep you off your feet in more radical terrain. If more snow is added today these slabs could be come more potent, so pay attention to increasing signs of instability and connectivity.

Abajo / Blue Mountains

The Abajo mountains picked up considerably more snow than the La Sals. Though winds haven't been strong, they have blown just enough to move some snow around. Expect to find new, soft wind slabs, and cohesive storm slabs up to 2 feet deep.

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

In the Abajo Mountains, the new snow has fallen on a very weak and shallow snow pack. A rider triggering an avalanche in the new snow risks the potential of having a slide step down into buried weak layers creating a much larger and more dangerous avalanche. This danger is most prevalent on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees that have a NW-N-E aspect.

weather

Snow showers are forecasted to continue today with 3-7" possible though this will most likely affect the Abajos. The La Sals haven't faired well in this storm and I expect the trend to continue. ESE winds will be in the 15 mph range along ridge tops shifting to NE by this afternoon. High temperatures at 10,000' will be in the low to mid 20's. Things will begin to move out of here on Tuesday with drier air and sunny skies on tap for Wednesday. Another far off system may bring us some more snow by the weekend.

general announcements


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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.