Avalanche forecast

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is MODERATEtoday, but blowing and drifting snow continue to create potentially dangerous avalanche conditions on all steep, wind drifted slopes. The danger is greatest on slopes that face NW-N-SE and human triggered avalanches involving buried, persistent weak layers, are also possible in these areas. MODERATE danger does not mean safe, and careful snow stability analysis is required before venturing on to steep, avalanche prone terrain. Avoid slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. With an active weather pattern in store, expect the danger to increase over the next several days!

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Wind drifted snow continues to be our primary concern. Strong southerly winds have blown for more than a week drifting snow on to slopes facing NW-N-SE, and we now have new wind slabs on top of old. Most of the older slabs have gained strength, but fresh drifts continue to form. Be alert to recent deposits of wind drifted snow on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features. They are often recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance, and they may sound, and feel hollow underneath. Cracking in the snow surface is a sign of instability.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    4

    Snow stability tests are showing varying degrees of reactivity with regard to buried, persistent weak layers. Our primary layer of concern is the early December snow that has turned into weak, sugary facets on top of the October crust. Where the snowpack is deepest, this layer is mostly non-reactive. Where the pack is shallow and weak, alarming results occasionally pop up. This puts us squarely in the MODERATE category where deep and dangerous, human triggered avalanches are still possible. And as our old buddy Clint would say, "Do you feel lucky?" You are most likely to encounter this problem on steep slopes at mid and upper elevations that face NW-N-E. The only way to know for sure will be to perform your own stability test on a slope by slope basis.

Special Announcement

I'm sorry to report more sad news from the backcountry. On Saturday, a 49 year old man was killed in an avalanche accident on the west side of Humpy Peak in the East Fork of the Chalk Creek drainage while riding with his son and a friend. That makes four avalanche fatalities in Utah this month. A preliminary investigation is found here.

Or deepest sympathies go out to the families and friends of the victims.

Snow and Weather

Skies are mostly cloudy, and pesky SW winds continue to blow averaging 25 mph along ridge tops with gusts into the 40's. 10,000' temps are in the upper 20's and they will bump up today to around 30 degrees. Cloudy and breezy conditions will be the story today as we transition into an active weather pattern. The first wave in a series of storm systems will begin to impact the area tonight with 2"-4" possible. Snow showers should continue tomorrow with another 2"-4" possible before a stronger wave moves through on Thursday night. Another system is poised to impact our area Friday night into Saturday, with yet another system on a more southerly track lining up for early next week.

A surprise 6"-10" of low density snow fell on Monday providing a nice refresh of conditions, particularly in sheltered areas. Above tree line, winds have scoured and crusted exposed surfaces while drifting snow on to northerly aspects.

New snow totals in Gold Basin (10,000')

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')

Wind, temperature, and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')

National Weather Service point forecast.

General Announcements

Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations HERE. You can also call me at 801-647-8896, or send me an email: [email protected].

Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at REI, Backcountry.com, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay by clicking on these links, they donate a portion of your purchase to the UAC. If you sell on eBay, you can have your See our Affiliate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop

This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Regions covered