Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Wednesday - January 10, 2018 - 7:24am
special announcement

This advisory will be updated intermittently with a general conditions report until snow coverage is sufficient for winter travel.

We've scheduled our annual Backcountry 101 avalanche course for Feb 2,3. For more information or to register go here.

We've also scheduled a Motorized Backcountry 101 for snowmobiles and snowbikes. For more information or to register go here.

Episode 2 of the UAC podcast has been released. Drew Hardesty talks Avalanche Weather with Professor Powder himself, atmospheric sciences professor and author of Secrets of the Greatest Snow on Earth, Jim Steenburgh. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog, or wherever you get your podcasts.
current conditions

Another 2" of snow has fallen overnight bringing snow totals since Sunday up to 8". Another 4"-8" is possible today. Though still not enough for off trail winter travel, it's good to finally see some snow.

SSE ridge top winds are averaging 23 mph with gusts in the high 30's. It's 33 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, and 23 on Pre Laurel Peak

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, (9600')

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

With so little snow on the ground it's difficult to conceive of there being any avalanche problems. Most of the upper elevation terrain above treeline had been stripped to the rocks by wind and sun, and overall coverage below tree line stood at 3-5". There may however, be isolated areas right around treeline where strong winds and up to 8" of new snow blowing around will form wind slabs on top of old, weak, very shallow snow. Look for recent wind drifts, and signs of cracking where a shallow slab could sweep you off your feet and rake you over rocks and earth.

weather

Snowfall will continue today with 4"-8" of possible. High temps at 10,000 will be in the low to mid 30's and SW winds will average 15-20 mph with gusts to 40. High pressure returns for the weekend.


general announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.