Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Wednesday - April 12, 2017 - 7:14am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is LOW and generally stable snow conditions exist. This time of year, focus your attention on loose, wet avalanche activity as the days heat up. Signs of instability include pinwheels, roller balls, and sloppy wet snow up around your boot tops. Change your aspect or move higher in elevation if these signs are present.

Snow surfaces are very hard and slides for life are a real possibility. Consider carrying an ice ax or a whippet for self arrest.




special announcement

Sunday, April 16 will be our last day of regularly scheduled advisories.
current conditions


Skies are clear, southwest winds are light to moderate, and 10,000' temperatures are in the high 20's. We've had a good refreeze and there will be supportable, corn-like snow conditions on SE-S-W aspects. Work with the sun by hitting slopes with an easterly component by around 10:30, and finishing up on westerlies by about 1:00 or when the snow starts to become wet and sloppy.

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

Snow totals, temperature and humidity in Gold Basin. (10,000')

Snow totals, temperature and snow/water equivalent at Geyser Pass Trailhead. (9600')
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 mountain travel always requires awareness of objective hazards.

Loose wet avalanches - This time of year, loose wet slides move to the forefront of our avalanche concerns. Look for signs of instability such roller balls, pinwheels, or sloppy wet snow up around your boot tops. Change your aspect or move higher in elevation if these signs are present.

Slide for life - Very hard snow surfaces exist and mountain travelers may want to carry an ice axe, or whippet for self arrest.

weather
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.