Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - March 20, 2015 - 7:23am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is LOW this morning and will rise to MODERATE for wet slide activity on all aspects. There also still remains an isolated danger for triggering a dry persistent slab. Though "pockety" in nature, this danger may exist on steep, rocky terrain, right around tree line and above on slopes that have a NW-N-E aspect.




special announcement

With spring conditions in full effect, this advisory will be updated on Friday and Monday barring a significant change in the weather and or avalanche conditions. Conditions are generally predictable at this time with daytime heating increasing the danger for wet slide activity. Timing is everything and it is important to be off of steep slopes as they become wet and sloppy.The presence of an overnight freeze helps to stabilize conditions each day. The lack of a re-freeze constitutes a trend of continued instability. Check the weather links under current conditions for current and overnight temperatures.
current conditions

La Sal Mountains

We had a solid refreeze in the mountains overnight with temps dropping to 21 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak, and 26 in Gold Basin. Supportable corn snow can be had on SE through SW aspects. The difficulty will come in finding one of these slopes that has snow on them. Extreme, upper elevation north facing slopes are still harboring some dry snow while just below they are turning into a transitional snow pack with a melt freeze crust on top, and moist facets underneath.

La Sal Weather Data

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

Spring conditions and overall low coverage remain the order in the Abajos.

Abajo / Blue Mountains Current Weather

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 10 hours
description

Today the danger for loose wet slide activity, or even wet slab avalanches will rise on all aspects as the day heats up. Even upper elevation north facing slopes may start to be affected. Timing is everything this time of year. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes if you notice the snow getting sloppy or see signs of instability such as pinwheels, roller balls, or loose snow sluffs.
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 danger for triggering a persistent slab has greatly diminished, and people have been pushing into much larger terrain than is typical for the La Sals without incident. The danger now is very isolated and "pockety" but it does still exist in areas of steep, rocky terrain right around tree line or just above on slopes with a NW-N-E aspect.

weather

Skies will remain clear today through Saturday with high temps at 10,000' in the mid 40 to upper 40's. Overnight lows tonight will be in the high 20's. On Saturday night skies will be partly cloudy with low temps hovering right around freezing. Sunday will be mostly sunny and breezy.

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.