Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - March 26, 2017 - 7:01am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is mostly LOW but there may be a few isolated wind slabs remaining in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Look for smooth rounded deposits of wind drifted snow on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features primarily on slopes that face NW-NE-SE. With daytime heating, we may some shallow, loose, wet activity in the new snow.




current conditions

Skies are partly cloudy but clearing this morning after a fast moving system brought another 3"-5" of new snow to the mountains. Northwesterly winds are mostly light, averaging 10-15 mph along ridge tops. The temperature at Geyser Pass Trailhead is the coldest it's been in weeks at 28 degrees, and it's 18 degrees on Pre Laurel Peak.

Last night's snow came in wiith much less wind than Thursday's, and conditions should be a little better today. The underlying snow surface is quite variable however, and the new snow won't quite be enough to take that away. Sheltered, north facing terrain offers the best conditions, but another tip will be to find areas where the underlying surface is smooth and firm.

Traditionally a wet month, March has been tough on our snowpack and we are currently at 77% of normal, with 57" on the ground in Gold Basin. Many south facing slopes are melted out to the rocks, and the snow line has crept up to around 9000'.

Reed Kennard was out and about 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

The avalanche danger is generally low but here are a couple of things to keep in mind:

Wind Slabs: In my travels yesterday, I found a few areas of hollow feeling, wind drifted snow, and a couple of parties reported finding thin wind slabs in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Nothing was reactive, but it still may be possible to trigger a shallow slab on steep slopes facing NW-NE-SE right around tree line or above. Even a shallow wind slab could have dire consequences if it carried you over rocks or cliffs, in areas of more extreme terrain. Suspect smooth rounded pillows, or hollow areas of drifted snow.

Loose Wet: With daytime heating, we may see some shallow, loose wet avalanche activity in the new snow. Signs of instability include roller balls or pinwheels, or actual loose snow sluffing. If any of these signs are present, find a cooler slope to play on. ​
weather

Skies are clearing and it should be a nice day up in the mountains. High temperatures at 10,000' will be in the upper 30's, and northwest winds will be light. The next system moves into our area on Monday.


general announcements


Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is down to the dirt. Muddy conditions exist the closer you get to the trailhead.

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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.