Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - January 13, 2017 - 6:42am
bottom line

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE in upper elevation wind exposed terrain. The danger is most acute on steep slopes that face NW-NE-E, but cross loading has affected slopes on all aspects. Avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. At mid elevations the avalanche danger is MODERATE. Low elevation terrain offers mostly LOW danger.




special announcement

Grand County will be plowing the road this morning and the gate will be closed at 9:00 a.m. It is not expected to be re-opened until after noon.

Backcountry 101 Avalanche Course

We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche class on Feb 3, 4. This course will include a night classroom session and a day in the field. Cost is $125 with proceeds to benefit the Utah Avalanche Center Moab. For more information or to sign up go here.

current conditions


8" of new snow has fallen in Gold Basin over the past 24 hours and this is a good thing! I must say I've been feeling a little left out as the "atmospheric river" phenomenon has been dumping astronomical amounts of snow throughout the West, while we've only been seeing incremental doses. But it has been adding up, and we've now received close to 2' of snow at upper elevations this week. In some cases, you would never know it - strong SW winds throughout the week have blown much of it into Colorado! Mid and lower elevations have received considerably less amounts, and even this morning Geyser Pass Trailhead is reporting only 3" of new snow. The good news is the winds have finally tapered off and conditions below tree line should be excellent today.

The intrepid Dave Garcia was out and about yesterday and provided this report.

Storm totals and temperature in Gold Basin.(10,000')

Wind, temperature and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak.(11,700')

Snow totals, temperature and snow/water equivalent at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. (9600')

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

Wind slabs on top of wind slabs exist at upper-mid to upper elevations, and snow has been deposited further down slope than is usual. The danger will be most acute on upper elevation slopes that face N-NE-E, but with winds of this intensity cross loading has been a factor and you may encounter wind slabs on all aspects. Suspect smooth rounded pillows and look for cracking in the snow surface. Avoid slopes steeper than about 30 degrees that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

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

Buried layers of weak faceted snow, sometimes associated with a crust, can be found on most aspects at mid and upper elevations. How reactive they are varies from slope to slope, and about the only way you can be certain is to dig down and test them. Steep, upper elevation, wind loaded slopes should be avoided. In these areas it is likely that a triggered wind slab will step down into a buried weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche. Out of the wind zone, the danger will be less obvious and stability analysis will need to be performed on a slope by slope basis.

weather

Today

Snow showers likely. Areas of fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 23. South wind 10 to 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Tonight

Snow showers likely before 11pm, then snow likely after 11pm. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 18. South wind around 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.

Saturday

Snow likely. Patchy fog before noon. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 27. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches possible.

Saturday Night

Snow likely. Cloudy, with a low around 21. South wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Sunday

A 50 percent chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. North northeast wind 10 to 15 mph.

general announcements

Road Conditions: Grand County will be plowing this morning and the gate will be closed at 9:00 a.m.

Grooming: Trails are scheduled to be groomed this afternoon.

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The information in this advisory is from the US Forest Service which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.