Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Monday - March 27, 2017 - 7:25am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW. 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. An approaching storm system will begin affecting our area tonight. I don't anticipate the danger to rise today, but as winds increase be alert to possible wind transported snow and the formation of new wind slabs.




current conditions

Skies are cloudy, southerly ridge top winds are mostly light, and 10,000' temperatures are right around freezing. Snow conditions are typical spring mixed bag. An approaching storm system will begin to affect our area tonight. It doesn't look to be a big producer for us but we could see 4"-8" by Tuesday night.

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'.

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

Snow totals, temperature and snow/water equivalent at the Geyser Pass Trailhead. (9600')

Nice Tracks! It must be spring when the bears are out and about.

recent activity
weather

Today

Rain and snow showers likely, becoming all snow after 5pm. Some thunder is also possible. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 37. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Total daytime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tonight

Snow showers. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 24. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday

Snow showers. High near 30. Windy, with a north wind 10 to 20 mph increasing to 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 50 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.

Tuesday Night

A 50 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. Very windy, with a north wind 30 to 35 mph increasing to 40 to 45 mph in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 65 mph. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Wednesday

A 20 percent chance of snow showers before noon. Sunny, with a high near 32. Very windy, with a north northeast wind 30 to 40 mph decreasing to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 55 mph.

Wednesday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 25.

Thursday

A chance of snow showers after noon, mixing with rain after 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 37. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
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.