Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Moab Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Tuesday - February 6, 2018 - 7:23am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE today and heightened avalanche conditions exist in steep, upper elevation terrain that faces NW-N-SE. Human triggered, persistent slab avalanches up to 2' deep, failing on weak, sugary, faceted snow at the ground are possible in these areas. The danger also exists for triggering a recently deposited wind slab in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain.




special announcement

Episode 3 of the UAC podcast is live. We talk with UDOT Avalanche Program Supervisor Bill Nalli on how he and his teams keep the Greatest Snow on Earth from avalanching over the open roads and highways of the state. Check it out on ITunes, Stitcher, the UAC blog, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The UAC Marketplace is online. The holiday auction is closed, but our online marketplace still has deals on skis, packs, airbag packs, beacons, snowshoes, soft goods and much more.
current conditions

Miracles never cease. Last night's 50% chance of scattered showers produced 6" of new snow up in the mountains. Overnight, WNW winds averaged 10 mph along ridge tops. They've picked up this morning averaging 15 mph with gusts to 25 from the NW. It's 23 degrees at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and 13 on Pre Laurel Peak.

Base depth at Geyser Pass Trailhead: 17"

New snow totals in Gold Basin.

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

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

Road conditions to Geyser Pass Trailhead: Expect to find a few inches of snow on the road increasing to about 6" at the parking lot. 4wd required.

Grooming conditions: Trails will be covered in fresh snow this morning.

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

Areas of unstable snow exis on steep, NW-N-E facing slopes right around treeline and above where loose, weak, sugary faceted snow at the ground is providing an unstable base. The new snow will add some additonal stress to the ongoing persistent slab danger, and human triggered avalanches up to 2' deep are possible in these areas.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Today, be on the lookout for fresh wind drifts and wind slabs on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. Look for smooth rounded pillows of recently deposited, wind drifted snow. A triggered wind slab also has the potential to step down creating a deeper and more dangerous persistent slab avalanche.

weather
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.