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 4 years ago. Estás viendo condiciones pasadas, no el boletín vigente.

Lo esencial

Recent heavy snowfall has created a CONSIDERABLE danger for triggering an avalanche on all aspects near treeline and above. On these slopes, human triggered avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer are likely. Any avalanche triggered on this weak layer will be very deep and unsurvivable. The danger is greatest on steep, wind drifted slopes that face NW-N-NE-E. Backcountry travelers should continue to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees. There is a MODERATE danger of triggering a loose dry snow avalanche on all aspects and elevations.

Problemas de aludes

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta montaña
    • Límite del bosque
    • Bajo el límite del bosque
    Probabilidad
    Likely
    Tamaño
    3

    Heavy snowfall over the past week has been a good test for the persistent weak layer (PWL) of faceted snow that developed during the cold dry period in mid November. This weak layer exists on all aspects and has produced several large, natural avalanches on steep, northerly aspects, as well as a couple on southerly aspects. Any natural activity will be over by now. The weak layer may be showing signs of gaining strength, but it is still too soon to jump into avalanche terrain. Deep and dangerous human triggered avalanches remain likely. The snowpack simply needs more time to adjust after such a big loading event. The sun will be shining and bulls eye clues of instability will be less obvious today. This is the kind of day that is primed for an accident and has me worried. For now, this PWL should be presumed guilty until proven innocent and slopes steeper than 30 degrees should be avoided.

    We dug this deep snow pit on Monday on a northerly aspect below treeline. The weak layer of concern is visible as a band of dust just above knee level. The overall depth and strength of the snow above the weak layer suggests we are moving in the right direction. Check out my complete observation here.

  • Storm Slabs

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

    With about 20 inches of dry, unconsolidated snow on the surface you can expect to trigger loose dry snow avalanches in steep terrain. This type of avalanche can be especially dangerous in terrain traps like gullies, creeks, and road cuts. Travel advice remains the same, avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

    Trend: Decreasing With all of the fresh, light snow available for transport you can expect to find fresh slabs of wind drifted snow above treeline. Any avalanche triggered in a fresh drift has the potential to step down to the buried PWL triggering a larger and more dangerous avalanche.

Special Announcement

Road Conditions: Grand County plowed the road on Tuesday 1/3. Reports are that it is still difficult driving and 4.x4 and chains are recommended.

Grooming: Trails are not groomed.

Improve your avalanche awareness and rescue skills and sign up for our Backcountry 101 Class on January 20, 21.

Recent Activity

There hasn't been enough visibility to see if there has been any activity from the last storm. Here is a list of avalanches from last Wednesday's natural cycle.

Snow and Weather

24 Hour Snow 10" 72 Hour Snow 20" Season Total Snow 130" Base Depth at Gold Basin 67"

Winds on Pre Laurel Peak NA Temp 8F

Weather

The snow is finally over for the time being. Today we will see decreasing clouds and partly sunny skies. Temperatures will remain cold, around 13 degrees at 10,000 ft. Winds will blow out of the West around 15 mph. Thursday will be cold and breezy ahead of the next chance for snow arriving Thursday night into Friday. This does not look like a big event for the La Sals with maybe 2-4 inches. Models hint at another chance for snow early next week.

General Conditions

Residual moisture in a NW flow combined with orographic lift produced another 10 inches of cold dry powder in the mountains yesterday morning making for 20 inches since Monday. Conditions are all time right now. More than 4' of snow has fallen over the past week and coverage is excellent. This load has been a good test for our buried persistent weak layer that exists on all aspects. The weak layer appears to be gaining strength, but there are many areas that are still suspect, especially areas with a shallow snowpack. We need to keep it reeled in, let the snowpack adjust to the new load, gather some more observations, and it could be game on soon. For now, continuing to avoid slopes steeper than 30 degrees is the strategy.

Snowpack and Weather Data

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.

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. This forecast will be updated by 7:30 tomorrow morning.

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