Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - March 6, 2017 - 7:01am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today on steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slopes that face NW-NE-SE and human triggered avalanches are likely in these areas. Mid elevation, wind exposed terrain has MODERATE danger. There also remains an isolated, or MODERATE danger for triggering an avalanche on a buried weak layer on steep slopes right around tree line and above that face NW-N-E.




special announcement

Road Update 9:00 a.m: Grand County will be plowing the road today and the gate will be locked at 9:00 a.m.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour Returns to Moab, Monday, March 13. Featuring the year’s best films on mountain sport, culture and adventure, this will be the 14th season the festival has come to Moab. Proceeds support the Utah Avalanche Center - Moab and Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation. For more info and to purchase tickets, go here.

Lost Skis: A guest from Talking Mountain Yurts left a pair of blue DPS skis with Dynafit bindings at Geyser Pass Trailhead on Monday. Please call Will at 435-260-7601 if you picked them up.

Local skier Craig Bigler lost a ski in the North Woods. If you run across it pleas call him at 435-260-1007
current conditions

The mountains picked up 4"-6" of new snow overnight which will improve conditions, especially in sheltered terrain. Southerly winds yesterday howled along ridge tops averaging 35-40 mph with gusts as high as 70. They backed off a bit and shifted to more westerly around 3:00 a.m. and are currently averaging 25-30 mph. Temperatures have plummeted and it's -3 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak and 13 at the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

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

We know what wind and snow does. It forms wind slabs. Today your primary concern will be fresh wind drifts on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in wind exposed terrain. Crossloading will be a factor, and with the strong winds, slabs will have formed further down slope than usual. New snow will also cover up older, hard wind slabs so you will need to be extra aware of how the snow feels beneath you. Avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow, as well as areas that have a hard surface and that sound or feel hollow like a drum.

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

The chances of triggering an avalanche on a buried weak layer are decreasing, but today the possiblity exists for a triggered wind slab to step down to a buried weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche. You are most likely to encounter this problem on steep, NW-N-E aspects, right around treeline and above.

weather

Cold air is filtering into the area behind a strong cold front. Expect much cooler temperatures today with highs at 10,000' to be in the upper teens. Gusty, westerly winds will continue to blow in the 20-30 mph range with gusts near 50. Lingering snow showers may bring another 2-4".

general announcements

Grooming: Trails are covered in fresh snow.

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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.