Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - April 10, 2016 - 7:03am
bottom line

At mid and lower elevations, the danger for loose wet, or even wet slab avalanches will rise to MODERATE today. Be alert to signs of wet instability within the snow pack as the day progresses. Watch for roller balls, pinwheels, and sloppy wet, or punchy snow, and stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present. There are also isolated areas where cornice fall poses a threat. Give them a wide berth if you are traveling on ridge crests where they are present.




special announcement

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

current conditions

Trace amounts of snow fell in the mountains ands skies are again cloudy this morning. Westerly ridgetop winds are blowing 15-20 mph, and temps range from 36 degrees at Geyser Pass Trailhead, to 32 in Gold Basin, and 26 on Pre Laurel Peak. The snow surface should be frozen over at the upper elevations, but below about 10,000' the snow surface will be punchy this morning.

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

Mid and lower elevations did not undergo a solid refreeze last night, and temperatures at 10,000' will rise into the mid 40's today. Today you will need to be alert to signs of wet instability within the snow pack as the day progresses. Watch for roller balls, pinwheels, and sloppy wet, or punchy snow, and stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present. In areas where the snowpack is shallow and punchy, it may also be possible to trigger a wet slab avalanche.

weather

A series of weak systems moving through the desert southwest will affect the area through the week.

Today

A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 10am. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Southwest wind 10 to 15 mph. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Tonight

A 40 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 5am. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. West southwest wind around 10 mph.

Monday

A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after noon. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. West northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible.

Monday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph becoming south southwest after midnight.

Tuesday

Snow showers likely, mainly after noon. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. South wind around 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Tuesday Night

A 40 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28.

Wednesday

A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after noon. Partly sunny, with a high near 42.

Wednesday Night

A slight chance of snow showers before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

Thursday

A chance of snow showers, mainly after noon. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 39. Breezy.

Thursday Night

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 21. Breezy.

Friday

A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 30. Breezy.

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.