Moab

Strong westerly winds have kept the avalanche danger at CONSIDERABLE on steep, wind drifted slopes above treeline that face NW-N-NE-E. In these areas, dense slabs of wind drifted snow are overriding persistent weak layers of sugary, faceted snow, and human triggered avalanches are likely. A MODERATE danger exists near treeline and below on steep slopes facing W through N through E, and on slopes facing W and SE. In these areas, human triggered avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer are possible. Also above treeline, unstable slabs of wind drifted snow may exist on all asepects.

It's still low tide out there and rocks, stumps, and logs re lurking just beneath the surface.

Geyser Pass Road: Expect slick conditions on a hard, snowpacked and icy surface. AWD with good tires required.

Grooming Conditions: Give a shout out to Gavin who groomed up and over Geyser Pass again yesterday!

Now is a great time to dial in your safety gear including putting fresh new batteries in your beacons! Local shops across the state will be handing out free Batteries for Beacons now until February 1, 2025. All you need to do is fill out a quick survey and grab the AAA or AA batteries you need to keep your beacon fresh this season. Head into Moab Gear Trader to get yours!

Jake Etter reported this recent avalanche on the NE Face of Tukno. It likely started as a small wind slab realease that entrained loose snow before finally triggering a slab on a persistent weak layer at the steep, rocky choke.

See the avalanche database here.

6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 52" Depth at Gold Basin: 28"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: WSW 5-10 G 30 Temp: 13° F Percent of Normal (SWE): 107%

Weather

After a several day run, winds began to back off by late morning yesterday and are mostly light this morning. Mountain temps finally feel more like December. It's currently 13°F in Gold Basin and 8°F up on Pre Laurel Peak. Look for partly sunny skies this morning that become increasingly clear throughout the day. WNW winds will be light and temps will remain seasonably cool with a high in the low 20's. Looking ahead, we may see chance for snow by the weekend.

General Conditions

The Christmas week stormy period improved conditions enough to bring people out and I've received several great observations over the past several days. All reported red flag signs of instability including wind loading, cracking, isolated collapsing, and poor snowpack structure. They also reported good turning and riding on sheltered, northerly aspects. Near treeline and below, the recent storm snow has formed a cohesive soft slab over top of very weak, faceted surface snow. Winds have stripped and savaged many exposed slopes above treeline while alternately loading leeward terrain. On northerly aspects, winds have built thick, dense slabs over layers of weak, faceted snow, and the danger definitely increases with elevation. South facing terrain is very thin, both from the sun, and from being stripped by the winds.

Winds have done a number on the high country. While the foreground shows stripped and scoured surfaces, in the background you can see smooth, rounded pillows of wind deposited snow on the northerly facing terrain in Talking Mountain Cirque. This is the kind of terrain where you are likely to find trouble. pc Mark Sevenoff

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.

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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.