Moab

The avalanche danger is MODERATE. Although the likelihood is decreasing, it remains POSSIBLE to trigger avalanches in slabs of wind-drifted snow that formed during the storm on Friday and Saturday. These wind drifts exist near treeline and above on slopes that face NW-N-NE-E. If you are seeking bigger objectives, evaluate each slope carefully. In isolated areas on northerly aspects near treeline and below, weak faceted snow exists two feet below the surface. The distribution of this layer is spotty at best, but it deserves to be on your radar today.

Road Conditions: The Geyser Pass Road was plowed on Monday 3/18.

Grooming: Trails will be groomed today

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The Banff Film Festival is returning to Moab on Thursday 3/21 and Friday 3/22 For tickets and information visit our event page.

In our travels on Sunday and Monday, we observed numerous avalanches that ran during the storm. Most of these avalanches involve slabs of wind-drifted snow. For a full updated list of recent avalanche activity click here.

This avalanche in Talking Mountain Cirque, appears to have failed deeper on a layer of facets. It is also possible that this avalanche in Horse Creek Chutes may have failed on facets as well. Both of these slopes are repeat runners, meaning they avalanched previously this season, leaving behind a shallow and weak snowpack.

The photo below shows avalanches from 3/16 that involved wind-drifted snow in the Meat Cleavers of Middle Cirque.

6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 168" Depth at Gold Basin 63"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: WNW 4-6 Temp 20° F Percent of Normal: 121%

Weather

The cut-off low to the South finally kicks out to the East, as high pressure continues to expand Eastward. Under clear skies, it is currently 20 degrees in Gold Basin. High temperatures will rise to 32 degrees today. Winds will be light out of the WNW, blowing 5-15 MPH. Tomorrow's weather will be a repeat of today. A gradual warming trend this week will see high temperatures climbing to 5-10 degrees above normal by Friday and Saturday. We are still on track for another storm system Saturday night into Sunday, which will bring cooler temps and widespread precipitation to the region.

General Conditions

Riding conditions took a slight hit, as warm temperatures on Monday made the snow surface damp on many aspects. Yesterday, I found a thin zipper crust even on Northerlies at the low and mid-elevations. Upper elevation shady slopes remain your best bet for cold dry snow, and there are still plenty of good turns to be had up there. Today will be warm and sunny, and the spring-like weather should help soften things a bit. Strong winds during the storm drifted the new snow, and many natural wind slab avalanches have been observed. Lingering slabs of wind-drifted snow near treeline and above remain your primary concern. Alpine terrain is not completely off-limits, but you will need to have a keen eye for observing and avoiding fat rounded pillows of drifted snow. In our travels on Monday, we found the recent slabs of drifted snow reactive to our weight and stability tests.

The weak layer of faceted snow that we have been tracking since 3/8, is still popping up in isolated areas. This layer is about two feet below the surface, and it exists in steep, sparsely treed, north-facing terrain near treeline and below. The distribution of this layer is spotty at best, but backcountry travelers should exercise caution when entering steep loosely treed slopes. When you do find this layer, it tends to be very obvious.

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.

Want some more insight into the La Sal Mountains as well as the communal impacts of a tragic avalanche? Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Eric Trenbeath where he discusses the range, it's often treacherous snowpack, and how the devastating avalanche in February, 1992, affected the Moab community.

Our avalanche beacon checker sign and beacon training park are up and running. A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts for sponsoring those this season!

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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.