Lawinenlagebericht

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Lawinengefahr

  • Hochgebirge
  • Waldgrenze
  • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
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Veraltet — dieser Lagebericht ist last year abgelaufen. Du siehst vergangene Verhältnisse, nicht den aktuellen Bericht.

Kernpunkte

A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes near and above treeline that face NW-N-NE-E. Human triggered avalanches involving fresh slabs of wind drifted snow are likely. Fresh drifts may also be found on slopes facing SE. Avoid steep slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep slopes that face W-N-E where human triggered avalanches 2-4 feet deep failing on a buried persistent weak layer are possible. The danger is most pronounced on steep northerly aspects near treeline. Any avalanche failing on a weak faceted layer will be deep, dangerous, and potentially unsurvivable.

Lawinenprobleme

  • Wind Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Likely
    Größe
    2

    Fresh, unstable slabs of wind drifted snow will be your immediate avalanche problem today. They will be the most widespread on northerly aspects near and above treeline which is where you are also most likely to encounter a persistent weak layer problem. Steep, wind drifted slopes in these areas should be avoided. Fresh drifts may also be found on other aspects. Look for them on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features. Fresh drifts are often recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance and cracking is a sign of instability.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Hochgebirge
    • Waldgrenze
    • Unterhalb der Waldgrenze
    Wahrscheinlichkeit
    Possible
    Größe
    3

    Typically, by this time of year, we are getting close to putting our PWL problem in our rear view mirror. Unfortunately, we have a particularly weak and shallow snowpack this season brought on by few storms and long dry spells. Prior to the Valentine's Day storm, pretty much the entire snowpack was loose, weak, and faceted on slopes facing W-N-E. The Valentines Day storm built a thick, dense slab on top of this weak structure creating one of the worst snowpacks I've ever seen. This storm produced a few natural avalanches but not a widespread cycle and things were left hanging in the balance. The storm last week added a little more weight producing a few more avalanches including one very large, full depth release in Horse Creek. And here we are again. The underlying structure remains very poor and we've added a little more weight. The bullseye area for this problem is on steep, northerly aspects near treeline, and the likelihood decreases the further you step outside of this area. Personally, however, I'm going to continue to avoid any slope steeper than 30 degrees where this structure exists.

Special Announcement

The Utah Avalanche Center is excited to host Mountainfilm on Tour in Moab at Star Hall on 3/21 and 3/22. Click here for tickets and information.

March kicks off our Spring Campaign! If everyone in Utah’s backcountry community donates the cost of something they regularly enjoy on an adventure—like a dawn patrol burrito, a backpack snack, or post-ride trailhead drinks—we could fund not just one but two forecasters for the entire season! Donate here. Thank you!

They will not be working on the Loop Road today and the road is open.

Geyser Pass Road: The road is not plowed this morning, Expect several inches of new snow and some deeper drifts. 4x4 required.

Grooming Conditions: Expect fresh snow on all trails.

Recent Activity

Several large avalanches failing on persistent weak layers occurred during last week's storm event. Human triggered avalanches like this remain possible.

See the complete avalanche database here.

Snow and Weather

6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow: 6" 72 Hour Snow: 6" Season Total Snow: 103" Depth at Gold Basin: 48"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: N/A Temp: 16° F Percent of Normal (SWE): 91%

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.

Snow totals are on the lower end of my forecast this morning with an even 6 inches both at the Geyser Pass Trailhead, and in Gold Basin. Southwest winds cranked yesterday averaging 20-25 mph with regional gusts into the 40's and 50's along ridge tops tapering slightly overnight. We'll see a continued chance for light showers today with breezy, westerly winds blowing in the 15-20 mph range with gusts in the 30's along ridge tops. High temperatures today will be in the low 20's. A secondary disturbance moves through on Saturday bringing another chance for light snow. Sunday looks sunny and clear with the next storm moving in early next week.

General Conditions

Any new snow is welcome but you'll find the greatest improvement on sheltered, northerly aspects where the underlying snow was still soft. Elsewhere, you're likely to be feeling a variety of hard surfaces underneath. Be on the lookout for fresh, unstable slabs of wind drifted snow on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features, and suspect slopes that have more than about 8" of wind deposited snow. Fresh slabs will be the most widespread on northerly facing slopes, but isolated drifts may be found on a variety of aspects. On slopes facing W-N-E, layers of weak, faceted snow make up the bottom two thirds of the snowpack, while on top we have a dense, hard slab 2-3 feet thick. Snowfall last week put pressure on these buried weak layers producing several large avalanches. The recent snow may not tip the scales for a natural cycle this time, but deep and dangerous, human triggered avalanches remain possible. With the addition of fresh wind slabs, your best bet today is to avoid steep slopes facing the north half of the compass.

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.

Additional Info

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."

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General Announcements

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.

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