Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - February 24, 2017 - 6:53am
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Today there is a MODERATE danger for triggering wind slabs old and new on steep, wind drifted slopes, and a need for heightened avalanche awareness exists. Ominous pillows of wind drifted snow have formed on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as sub-ridges and gully walls. The danger will be most pronounced in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain that faces NW-N-E. Avoid steep slopes with fresh wind drifts, and suspect older wind slabs on slopes that have a smooth, rounded appearance, or that have a hollow feel to them.




special announcement
current conditions

It was a cold, blustery day in the mountains yesterday and 3-5" of new snow added to the wintry mix. It's down right frigid this morning at 2 degrees below 0 on Pre Laurel Peak and 9 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. The WSW winds that blew in the 20-25 mph range most of the day yesterday, have backed off into the single digits this morning. The new snow freshened things up quite a bit in sheltered areas, but wind exposed terrain took a hit. Windward, southwesterly slopes in particular are scoured out, while I observed significant loading and drifting on northerly aspects.

For recent observations go here.

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

Yesterday's southwest winds steadily transported a lot of new snow on to leeward, northerly facing slopes, primarily at upper elevations, but some open, mid elevation terrain was affected as well. Along ridge crests, and on the lee sides of terrain features such as sub-ridges and gully walls, ominous pillows of wind drifted snow have formed, and I feel there are many slopes where you could trigger an avalanche today. Recent drifts are up to a foot deep, and in some cases are covering up older wind slabs that formed earlier in the week. The danger is most acute on upper elevation slopes that face NW-NE-E. Avoid, steep, wind drifted slopes, especially those with a smooth, rounded appearance, or that have a hollow feel to them.

weather

An unstable weather pattern will keep us under mostly cloudy skies with threat for occasional snow flurries. High temperatures at 10,000' will be near 20 degrees but blustery, northwest winds will create a significant wind chill.

general announcements

Road conditions: 2-4" of snow fell on the road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead Wednesday night. Several vehicles made it up to the parking lot yesterday, but all wehhl drive is recommended.

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.

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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.