Moab

Most terrain has a MODERATE danger and human triggered avalanches are possible. Areas of CONSIDERABLE danger exist on steep, wind drifted, northerly aspects above treeline. Lingering instabilities may exist in the recent storm snow while unstable slabs of wind drifted snow are the primary concern. Backcountry travelers should avoid steep, wind drifted slopes.

As the day heats up, be alert to signs of loose, wet instability such as rollerballs or pinwheels, and sloppy, wet snow.

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.

The Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour is coming to Moab tonight and tomorrow! For tickets and information go here.

Geyser Pass Road: The road was plowed on Friday. A snowpacked surface exists up high with muddy conditions down low as the day heats up.

Grooming: Matt and Gavin were hard at it yesterday trails are groomed through Gold Basin and Geyser Pass. Thanks guys!

We observed a handful of pockety, natural avalanches that ran during the storm on steep, northerly facing slopes above treeline. See the La Sal avalanche database here.

6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 10" Season Total Snow 257" Base Depth at Gold Basin 91"

Winds on Pre Laurel Peak SW 2- 5 Temp 1

Weather

Skies are clear, calm winds teeter back and forth on the compass, and it's a frigid 1 degree up there! Short lived high pressure is building over the region and we'll see sunny skies this morning with a chance for clouds and even snow showers this afternoon as a weak shortwave undercuts the ridge. Temps will creep up into the low 20's, and winds will be light out of the NE before swinging to more westerly later in the day. Sunny skies and dry weather are back on Saturday. Enjoy it while you can as the next Atmospheric River event is shaping up to impact the region starting Monday!

General Conditions

8"-10" of heavy, wet snow fell on Wednesday with 1.5" to 1.75" of Snow Water Equivalent (SWE). This brings weekly totals up to 2' at 3.5" SWE and the mountains are plastered and white! In our travels yesterday, Dave Garcia and I found excellent turning and riding conditions, but the most recent snow had formed a cohesive slab that was not well bonded (see video for full details). This bond should be gaining strength and I suspect it will be less reactive today. We also observed a fair amount of wind drifted snow, primarily above treeline on northerly aspects, as well as a handful of "pockety" natural avalanches in these same areas. This is where the danger remains the greatest, and steep, wind drifted, northerly aspects should be avoided. Pay attention to how the recent snow is behaving. Look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface and see if the new snow has slab-like properties before committing to steeper terrain.

The sun came out faster than expected yesterday and southerly aspects took a hit. Expect them to be crusted over today. Clouds this afternoon may prevent them from getting too moist today, but be alert to signs of loose, wet instability such as rollerballs, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow.

To see all La Sal observations click here

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.