Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - February 20, 2016 - 6:51am
bottom line

In upper elevation, wind exposed terrain there is a MODERATE avalanche danger both for recently deposited wind slabs, and older persistent slabs. This danger exists primarily on steep, northerly facing aspects, on the lee sides of terrain features, gully walls, or beneath rock bands.

The danger for wet slide activity will increase to MODERATE on steep, sun exposed slopes as the day heats up.

Elsewhere, the avalanche danger is generally LOW.
special announcement

With the freedom of the backcountry comes responsibility, and this social responsibility in backcountry avalanche terrain is paramount as backcountry use explodes. Establishing a clear set of expectations in terms of Knowledge, Awareness and Wisdom is imperative to protect ourselves as well as our access to backcountry terrain.

Backcountry Responsibility Objective from Trent Meisenheimer on Vimeo.
current conditions

Skies are clear this morning and winds continue to blow along the ridge tops averging 25 mph from the southwest with gusts into the 40's. It's currently 25 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak and 35 at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Nuking southwest winds on Thursday blew down trees and strafed the snow surface to the point that it is now nearly impossible to find any soft, settled snow anywhere.

In addtition to turning the snow surface into craters of the moon, the strong winds transported a fair amount of snow. Check out this video:

La Sal wind transported snow 021816 from Utah AvalancheCenter on Vimeo.

Winds this morning have backed off to around 20 mph along ridgetops from the southwest, and it is currently 23 degrees at 10,000;.

This tree blew down over the groomed trail into Gold Basin. Thanks to Matt Hebberd for removing it yesterday.

Winds, temperature and humidity on Pre-Laurel Peak

New snow totals, temperature and humidity in Gold Basin

Total snow depth and temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead
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

Stiff wind slabs were scattered were with random abandon in the high country during Thursday's wind event. Stubborn to release then, they will be even stronger now, but you may still be able to trigger on steep terrain approaching 40 degrees. Mostly shallow, they will still pack a punch and could take you for a ride over a cliff or push you into trees. Be alert to smooth hard surfaces that sound and feel hollow like a drum.

In spite of a lack of available loose snow for transport, there was a lot of snow blowing around up there yesterday.

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 general, the danger for triggering a persistent slab, or deep persistent slab is growing increasingly unlikely but there are still a few isolated areas where buried, near surface facets exist in the upper portion of the snowpack. There are also a few places where the snowpack is shallow enough that an overlying slab could be triggered down to basal facets, or depth hoar in the ground Areas where you may still encounter a problem are on steep, northerly facing aspects where the snow is shallow, or in areas of extreme rocky terrain.

New wind slabs have been added to the top of this structure, and it is still possible to trigger an avalanche down to this buried weak layer of faceted snow.
Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

As the sun heats up the snow surface, be alert to an increasing danger for loose, wet avalanches on steep, sun exposed slopes.

weather

No new snow on the horizon for us. Look for mostly sunny skies through Monday. By Monday night, a storm system tracking through to the north will bring us clouds and blustery winds, with a prolonged period of dry and clear weather returning by Wednesday.

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 25. West wind 10 to 15 mph.

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 34. Breezy, with a northwest wind 15 to 20 mph.

Sunday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.

Monday

A 10 percent chance of snow after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Blustery, with a northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
general announcements

Road Conditions: The road is plowed and mostly melted out down to the dirt.

Grooming: Trails were groomed yesterday and the tree has been removed.  

To post an observation go here.  You can view Moab observations here. You can also give me a call on my cell phone at 801-647-8896

To receive this advisory by email go here.

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  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.