Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - January 21, 2017 - 7:09am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is HIGH today in steep, upper elevation, wind exposed terrain that faces NW-NE-E, and natural and human triggered avalanches are likely in these areas. A CONSIDERABLE danger exists on all aspects at mid, and upper elevations on slopes approaching 35 degrees. Backcountry travelers need to have excellent route finding skills and avoid avalanche terrain by staying off of and out from under steep slopes.




special avalanche bulletin

Heavy snowfall and strong winds have created dangerous avalanche conditions in the mountains. The danger will increase throughout the day. Only experienced backcountry travelers with excellent route finding skills should be in the mountains today.

special announcement

Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead has not been plowed and there is at east 8" of snow in the parking lot. Increasing winds today will create drifts across the road and access will be extremely difficult. 4wd, chains, and a snow shovel are mandatory for travelers attempting to reach the trailhead.

Backcountry 101 Avalanche Class

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

Storm totals since Thursday night are now 15" in Gold Basin, with 5-9" more and an increase in winds on tap today. Southeast ridge top winds have been blowing in the 20-30 mph range since late yesterday afternoon with gusts as high as 40. They will continue to blow in this range shifting to the northwest later today. It's 12 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak and 23 at Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Dave Garcia was up on Noriega's Ridge yesterday and sent in 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

Dangerous wind slabs exist right around tree line and above where moderate to strong winds have had copious amounts of fresh snow to blow around. The danger will be highest on slopes facing the north half of the compass, but as winds shift today expect to find newly formed wind slabs on all aspects at upper elevations.

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

Avalanches within the new snow will be likely today on all aspects on slopes approaching 35 degrees or steeper. They may present themselves as loose snow sluffs or as cohesive soft slabs. Long and fast running, they could pack a considerable punch if they entrain enough snow. Stay off of and out from under steep terrain, particularly in alpine areas where starting zones extend well into the wind zone.

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

The new snow load is putting buried weak layers in the snowpack to the test. Though generally an isolated problem, the danger for a deep persistent slab avalanche exists on steep, northerly facing aspects right around tree line and above. Heavily featured slopes with rocky, and more radical terrain, or where the snowpack is shallow are the most suspect.

weather

Today

Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 22. Windy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 30 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Tonight

Snow showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 9. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 30 mph decreasing to 15 to 20 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Sunday

Snow showers likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 20. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Sunday Night

Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. Low around 18. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.

Monday

Snow showers. The snow could be heavy at times. High near 24. Windy, with a southwest wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
general announcements

Grooming: Heavy snow through the weekend will prevent grooming.

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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.