Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - February 19, 2017 - 6:45am
bottom line

Today there is a MODERATE danger for wind slab avalanches in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain, primarily on slopes that face W-N-E. Fresh drifts along ridge crests will be sensitive to skiers and riders in these areas today. There is also a MODERATE danger for loose, dry sluffs, or soft slab avalanches within the storm snow on all aspects on slopes steeper than 35 degrees.




special announcement

Longtime local skier Craig Bigler lost a ski in the North Woods on Thursday. If you run across it please give him a call at 435-260-1007.
current conditions

It was a snowy and blustery day in the mountains yesterday, and a repeat performance of last weekend. 6" of dense, new snow has fallen in Gold Basin with 3" at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Another 3"-5" is in the forecast today. SE ridge top winds cranked all day, and continue to do so in the 25-30 mph range with gusts into the 40's. It's currently 21 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak, and just below freezing at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

Ryan Cutter was up again yesterday and sent in this observation.

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

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

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

Newly formed wind slabs in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain will be your primary concern today. Expect to find them on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls, and sub-ridges, on slopes that face W-N-E. Look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface, and avoid steep slopes with smooth, rounded 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

Today you may be able to trigger a long running, loose dry sluff, or soft cohesive slab within the storm snow on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees. These should be small, and mostly predictable, but you'll want to put in a slope cut before committing to steeper terrain.

weather

We'll see a brief lull this morning before the next wave begins to affect our area just before noon. 3"-5" is possible today. Southerly ridge top winds will be in the 15-20 mph range, and high temperatures at 10,000' will be in the low 30's. Drier conditions return on Monday before the next in a series of systems moves into the area on Tuesday.

general announcements

Road conditions: Expect to find a few inches of snow on the road at the upper end with somewhat sloppy an muddy conditions down low.

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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.