Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - March 4, 2016 - 7:18am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW but remember that low danger doesn't mean no danger. Continue to exercise caution in areas of steep, rocky, more radical terrain.

As the day heats up, be alert to signs of wet instability on sun exposed slopes such as roller balls, pinwheels, or sloppy wet snow. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.




special announcement
current conditions

It's going to be another warm, sunny day in the mountains today, but it looks like we may finally get some relief from this beautiful weather on Sunday! Today you will continue to find a mixed bag of spring like conditions and crusts out there with some dry, re-crystallized powder available up on high north faces, and corn snow on SE-S-W aspects. Many surfaces are very slick and hard, and slides for life a very real possibilty. An Ice axe and crampons, or at least a whippet may come in useful on some of the steeper ascents in alpine terrain.

Folks are still getting out and enjoying things. You can check their observations here.

We got another good freeze last night with Gold Basin and Pre Laurel stations both reporting lows of 26 degrees. Winds are currrently in hte 5-10 mph range from the WSW.

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

The avalanche danger is generally low right now, but low danger doesn't mean no danger and you should always maintain avalanche awareness and practice safe travel techniques in avalanche terrain.

Loose Wet Slides: As the day heats up be alert to signs of wet instability such as rollerballs or pinwheels, and stay off of and out form under steep slopes when these signs are present.

weather

Today will be another beautiful day in the mountains, but the big news is a change in the weather coming on Sunday, as a Pacific storm system on a SW flow moves into our area. Snow fall amounts are uncertain but I'll keep you posted. Weather will remain unsettled through Wednesday.

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 45. Southwest wind around 5 mph.

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. South wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 44. South southwest wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Saturday Night

A 20 percent chance of snow after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy, with a southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.

Sunday

Snow, mainly after 11am. High near 39. Windy, with a south southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
general announcements

Road Conditions: The new snow has been packed in and in some places has already melted off down to the dirt.

Grooming: All trails were groomed on Friday. 

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.