Moab

We're through issuing regular avalanche forecasts for the season but we'll post condition updates as warranted through the month. I will also continue to post recent observations. Your primary concerns in the spring are loose wet avalanches from daytime heating. Consecutive nights without a freeze can increase the likelihood for more dangerous wet slab avalanches. Plan to get in and out early before slopes become wet and sloppy. Use the weather links below to aid in your trip planning.

I would like to give a huge shout out to all who supported operations this season. This includes everyone who regularly used the forecast to stay safe; our local business sponsors Moab Gear Trader, Talking Mountain Yurts; Mammut, Black Diamond Equipment, Voile, and Arva for setting us up with the gear we need to do our job; the Manti-La Sal National Forest for their tremendous support of this program; and last but not least, our great local community and crew of dedicated observers who provide vital information and assistance throughout the season. Thanks everyone, see you next winter!

See the La Sal avalanche database 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.

General Conditions

It's been a cold, and windy week in the mountains with daytime highs not even getting above freezing for a couple of days. These are not the kind of weather conditions that make for good spring corn skiing which relies on warm sunny days, and cold clear nights. Additionally, there is likely some dust up there from high winds on Tue-Wed. I'm not sure to what extent this has affected the surface, but I'll be getting up this weekend to check it out. Overall, expect to find a mix of spring conditions with some dry, wind affected snow on the highest north faces, and sun affected, melt freeze crusts pretty much everywhere else. We may see a little warm up on Saturday, with our best chance for corn snow and a sunny, warm, day on Sunday. Another stormy period is on track for early next week.

I had a look at the S and E sides of the range on Sunday, April 16. Tuklear Reaction, or the SW gully off of Mount Tukuhnikivatz or "Tuk" (pronounced Tuque) is in and should still be in this weekend.

The SE face of Mount Peale is as smooth and filled in as I've ever seen it, unfortuantely, there is no plowed access this year and you are going to need a snowmobile.

That's all folks!

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.