Boletín de aludes

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Peligro de aludes

  • Alta montaña
  • Límite del bosque
  • Bajo el límite del bosque
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Desactualizado: este boletín caducó 7 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Today there is a MODERATE danger for human triggered avalanches involving recent deposits of wind drifted snow. That said, there are many steep, wind drifted slopes out there that I would consider a no-go right now. The danger is greatest on upper elevation slopes facing N-NE-E but any wind loaded slope should be considered suspect. NW winds today may also form some sensitive new drifts on southerly aspects. Choose terrain carefully and avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

Problemas de aludes

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Possible
    Tamaño
    2

    Human triggered avalanches involving recent deposits of wind drifted snow are your primary concern today and there are many steep, wind drifted slopes out there that I would consider a no-go right now. The danger is greatest on upper elevation slopes facing N-NE-E but any wind loaded slope should be considered suspect. NW winds today may also form some sensitive new drifts on southerly aspects. Recent drifts are recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance and cracking is a sign of instability. Choose terrain carefully and avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Unlikely
    Tamaño
    2

    We've been seeing some cracks develop in our generally strong snowpack, particularly in our mid-elevation band just below treeline. In these areas, the snowpack is shallower, between 3'-4' deep, and layers of weak faceted snow are beginning to develop. This storm, with an inch of water weight, is the second incremental test of these buried weak layers. Add drifting and the load may be significant enough for a skier or rider to trigger a deeper and more dangerous avalanche in areas of more extreme terrain. Avoid steep, wind drifted slopes, especially in areas where you suspect the underlying snowpack is shallow and weak.

    We've also been tracking a reactive weak layer on SE-S facing slopes. I'm hoping the warm temps over the weekend have helped put an end to this concern but I still don't have enough information about this to be certain.

Special Announcement

Are you looking to improve your avalanche skills? We are offering a Backcountry 101: Introduction to Avalanches class on February 15-16 in Moab. Click here to register A huge thanks to Moab Gear Trader for sponsoring this course. Please visit them for all your winter backcountry needs.

Road Conditions: Grand County has plowed and widened the road.

Grooming report: LUNA (Lower Utah Nordic Alliance) will be up grooming today.

Recent Activity

Our repeat running favorite in Tele Gold pulled out again sometime during the storm. For details see this report from Brian Hays.

Snow and Weather

24 Hour Snow 0" Weekly Snow 10" Base Depth in Gold Basin 52" Wind NW 15-20 G 28 mph Temp -2F

Weather: It was a mostly calm, cold, and beautiful day in the mountains yesterday. NW ridgetop winds began to ramp up a bit overnight blowing in the 15-20 mph range where they'll continue to remain today. Skies will be mostly sunny with high temps creeping up into the mid-teens. The next storm system will move through to the north on Thursday leaving us high and dry but not without a dose of wind. the next glimmer on the horizon appears Sun-Mon. Stay tuned.

Snowpack: Chris Jacobsen and I took a spin over to the east side of the range and found considerably less snow over there with only 3"-5" new. Reports from a party at the Geyser Pass Yurt are of around 6" of new snow up there. Gold Basin and the Geyser Pass Trailhead appear to have been at the epicenter of the storm. Brian Hays went up Laurel yesterday and reported 8"-10" of new with good turning in sheltered terrain, with variable and wind-blasted conditions in exposed areas.

Underneath, the snowpack is taking the form of a mid-season continental snowpack on an average year, with varying depths and strengths minus the depth hoar. In most areas above about 10,500', the pack is deep and strong with a depth of 4'-5'. But sun and wind-exposed slopes, and rocky areas right around treeline and below have shallower and weaker snow. In most cases, these weaker snow areas are not yet a problem. Isolated concerns exist in areas of steep, rocky, or sparsely wooded extreme terrain where wind drifted snow has been added to the underlying weak snow.

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

Storm totals at Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000').

Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').

NWS weather forecast

In wind exposed terrain above treeline expect to find scoured surfaces, but drop down just a bit and you'll be rewarded. Brian Hays photos.

General Announcements

My radio interview on KZMU about the history of backcountry skiing in the La Sals, avalanche accidents, and unique snowpack has been saved in perpetuity. You can listen to it here.

Check out the avalanche beacon training park at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and practice your rescue skills!

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

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