Moab

A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes facing W-N-E, and human-triggered avalanches 2 feet deep or more, failing on a persistent weak layer of faceted snow are possible. The danger is greatest on steep northerly aspects near treeline. Be alert to the potential for a developing wind slab hazard today. I don't expect the danger to increase much, but look for fresh, shallow slabs of wind drifted snow on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features above treeline that face primarily NW-N-E. Suspect slopes that have upwards of 6 to 8 inches of wind drifted snow.

Construction on the La Sal Loop Road will be starting up again today with closures above Pack Creek between 8:30-5:30 Monday through Friday.

Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Brett "Kowboy" Kobernick where he discusses faceted persistent weak layers and how "nobody is immune from getting killed in an avalanche."

We are excited to announce the launch of our new mobile application available on both Android and IOS. Get all the information you need to plan your backcountry adventure and keep the information at the tip of your fingers while you are out. Install the Android version here and the IOS version here.

Geyser Pass Road: The road to the winter trailhead is mostly melted out down to the dirt. A few areas of hard packed snow and ice remain near the top.

Grooming Conditions: Trails were last groomed on Thursday.

See the avalanche database here.

6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 82" Depth at Gold Basin: 36"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: N/A Temp: 22° F Percent of Normal (SWE): 65%

Weather

Pre Laurel Peak wind station and the Gold Basin storm stake are down as we install upgrades including a web cam to the site.

Southerly winds picked up yesterday averaging 15-25 mph on ridge tops. They'll be on the increase today with gusts as high as 40 mph as a closed low pressure system moves into our area. Look for increasing clouds and developing snow by mid morning. 3"-5" seem likely today. By afternoon, winds shift to the west and eventually northwest tonight when we should see a chance for lingering snow showers. We'll see a break on Tuesday and Wednesday with sunny and breezy conditions before the next potentially stronger closed low system arrives on Thursday.

General Conditions

The snowpack has definitely taken a hit from the recent heatwave and conditions are starting to resemble pre-Valentine's Day. Most surfaces are sun crusted, wind affected, or simply melted off. Underneath, however, the snowpack is still like early January. At 66% of average, and with long dry spells in between storms, the snowpack remains shallow, weak, and faceted. The Valentine's Day storm capped it all off with a dense slab creating a text book "strong snow over weak snow" scenario. Outward signs of instability such as collapsing and whumphing have diminished, the surface is tired and worn, and things don't appear to be all that dangerous but the underlying structure remains very poor. The recent heatwave has helped to settle and strengthen the overriding slab but I still don't trust the weak layer underneath. We'll be taking a close look at how incremental loading affects it over the coming week.

For more on this check out the UAC blog post Understanding the Risk of Persistent Weak Layer Avalanches .

In spite of the Valentine's Day storm, the high peaks never fully recovered from the dry and windy January. Let's hope for a miracle March starting later this week! From left to right: Mounts Peale, Mellenthin, Tukuhnikivatz, and Tukno.

Snowpack and Weather Data

Snowpack Observations

Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')

Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')

SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')

Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')

NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.

Check out the latest edition of the UAC podcast with Moab forecaster Dave Garcia where he talks about the challenges of forecasting for our remote and isolated range with limited information.

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This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.