Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Saturday - April 1, 2017 - 6:58am
bottom line

There is an isolated or MODERATE danger for triggering a shallow wind slab in steep, upper elevation terrain that faces W-N-E. If the sun pokes out we may see a few point release, wet sluffs out of rocky areas. Elsewhere the danger is generally LOW.




special announcement

The road to the Geyser Pass Trailhead has not been plowed. Expect to find about 4" of snow on the upper end, and a muddy surface down below.

current conditions


Clouds continue to hang over the mountains this morning as the storm system exits the area. We picked up 4"-6" of new snow, most of it coming in after 4:00 p.m. It was pretty quiet in the mountains yesterday with occasional snow flurries, some partial clearing, and a bit of "green housing" going on where clouds kept in the heat to dampen the snow surface. Winds dropped off after yesterday morning, blowing mostly from the SE in the 10-15 mph from with occasional higher gusts before shifting to more northerly. They've been light overnight but from seemingly all directions and are currently in the single digits from the south. It's currently 26 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and 16 on Pre Laurel Peak.

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

Winds, temperature and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700'
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

Isolated wind slabs formed during the early part of the storm exist along the leeward sides of upper elevation ridge crests and terrain features. Thin, possibly stiff and hollow, they may be covered up by a few inches of newer snow. In most cases they shouldn't pose much of a threat but be mindful of consequences in areas of more extreme terrain, where a triggered wind slab could sweep you off your feet and carry you over a cliff. Be wary of smooth rounded deposits of wind drifted snow, or areas that feel or sound hollow like a drum.

weather

Residual clouds will hang over the mountains today with a few isolated flurries possible. ESE winds will average 10-15 mph shifting to northerly by this afternoon. High temperatures at 10,000' will be in the low 30's.

general announcements

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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.