Avalanche forecast

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes above treeline that face NW-N-NE-E. In these areas, hard slabs of wind drifted snow over ride layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow and human triggered avalanches 1-2 feet deep are possible. Avoid steep terrain with stiff, hard slabs that sound or feel hollow underneath.

On these same aspects near treeline and below, shallow dry loose avalanches involving weak, faceted snow are possible to likely. Though not large enough to bury you, they could take you for a ride and carry you into trees or over a cliff. Manage terrain carefully.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Persistent weak layer problems remain on northerly aspects above treeline where old hard slabs of wind drifted snow sit on top of underlying weak facets. The primary layer of concern is a layer of facets that formed near the surface before the storm on January 23. Several windy periods since have built stiff hard wind slabs over top of this faceted layer and human triggered avalanches 1-2 feet deep are possible. A less likely, but not impossible scenario would be for an avalanche failing on this weak layer to step down deeper into the snowpack. For these reasons, I'm still leery of upper elevation, wind loaded terrain. Avoid steep slopes just below ridge lines that have smooth, hard slabs of wind drifted snow or that sound or feel hollow underneath.

    Looking ahead, any significant snow load, especially if combined with wind, will have the potential to produce large avalanches breaking below the Christmas rain crust and taking out the entire season's snowpack.

Special Announcement

Check out this recent blog post from Forest Service UAC Director Paige Pagnucco Weak Snow: Today's Surface, Tomorrow's Avalanche Problem.

Geyser Pass Road Conditions: The road is down to the dirt down low while sections of packed snow and ice remain above. AWD with good tires recommended.

Grooming: LUNA groomed all trails yesterday.

We are looking to reschedule our Moab Backcountry 101 Class to February 20, 21 in the hopes that we will have more snow. Click here for information and registration. Moab and Monticello locals can use the discount code MOAB-LOCAL for a 10% discount.

Recent Activity

No recent avalanches have been reported.

Snow and Weather

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 44" Depth at Gold Basin: 27"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NW 15-20 Temp: 21°F

Weather

Dry, warm, and sunny conditions persist through the week as high pressure continues to dominate the region. A potential pattern change is afoot next week.

General Conditions

It's been more than a week since our last storm and the snow surface is a mixed bag. Strong winds blowing from the west and northwest last week scoured exposed, windward slopes and built hard slabs of wind drifted snow above treeline on leeward aspects. The sun has crusted over south facing slopes that still retain snow. The snow on sheltered, shady aspects is becoming very loose and weak and in most cases, is faceted through to the ground. This "recycled powder" provides the best turning and riding but it is also prone to sluffing in very steep terrain.

Skier triggered dry, loose avalanche in steep terrain.

See recent observations here.

Snowpack and Weather Data

NEW! Gold Basin webcam storm stake

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.

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