Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Friday - April 14, 2017 - 6:54am
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 this morning, southerly winds continue to blow, averaging 20-25 mph along ridge tops, and 10,000' temperatures are right around freezing. Expect to find supportable, corn-like snow conditions on SE-S-W aspects. Work with the sun by hitting slopes with an easterly component first, and then finish up on westerly aspects by around 1:00. Winds may delay softening today.

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 ax, or whippet for self arrest.

weather

Continued dry and warm through the weekend with some clouds developing Sunday night ahead of a disturbance on Monday.

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.