Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - April 8, 2016 - 6:52am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW this morning but will rise to MODERATE as the day heats up. Be alert to signs of wet instability such as roller balls, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow, and stay off of, and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present. Give cornices a wide berth when walking on ridge crests and avoid being under them, especially as daytime heating progresses.




special announcement

This will be our last weekend for regular scheduled advisories. Thanks to everyone who supported the program this season!
current conditions

High clouds are streaming over the region this morning ahead of the first in a series of weak disturbances that will affect the area through most of next week. Overnight low temperatures were quite warm and we did not get a good re-freeze. It's 45 degrees at the Geyser Pass trailhead, 39 in Gold basin, and 35 on Pre Laurel Peak. Ridgetop winds have been on the increase for the past few hours and are currently blowing in the 20-30 mph range.

On Tuesday, winds worked over the highest northerly aspects where the snow still remains somewhat dry. Everywhere else, the snowpack has transitioned into the consistency of a snowcone. Base depth in Gold Basin is 66".

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 12 hours
description

Overall, things have been pretty quiet as far as wet slide activity goes, and with clouds moving in today, you would expect that trend to continue. My concern today is the lack of an overnight re-freeze. It won't take much sun today to loosen the surface snow on sun exposed slopes.

Additionally, there exists the potential to trigger a wet slab in areas where the snow pack is shallow and saturated clear through. Yesterday, I found areas where stopping on a sled would result in it dropping down into unsupportable, loose wet snow underneath, and if I got off the machine, I would punch right through up to my waist. Not a good sign.

Be alert to a rapidly warming snowpack today. Watch for the usual signs of instability such as pinwheels, rollerballs, and sloppy wet, or punchy snow, and stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

Cornices are not particularly prevalent in the La Sal Mountains, but there are some areas where they have grown quite large and are beginning to sag. Give them a wide berth when walking along ridge crests, and avoid being under them, especially as the day heats up.

weather

Today

A slight chance of rain showers between 10am and noon, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight

A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely after 10pm. Cloudy, with a low around 33. South southeast wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Saturday

A chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 52. South southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday Night

A slight chance of rain showers before midnight, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. South southwest wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Sunday

A chance of rain and snow showers, mainly after noon. Some thunder is also possible. Partly sunny, with a high near 51. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
general announcements

Road Conditions: The road is plowed down to the dirt and will get muddy in the afternoon.

Grooming Conditons:  Grooming is done for the season.  

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.