Moab

The overall danger is LOW and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely. Small avalanches remain possible in isolated areas or extreme terrain.

We are deeply saddened to report an avalanche fatality in East Bowl of Silverfork in the Salt Lake Area Mountains on Saturday. We will provide a full accident report in the coming days.

Check out the latest edition of the UAC podcast with Moab forecaster Dave Garcia where he talks about the challenges of forecasting for our remote and isolated range with limited information.

Geyser Pass Road: Surface is mainly snowpacked and icy above and bare dirt down low. AWD with good tires recommended.

Grooming Conditions: Ericgroomed all trails on Sunday.

See the avalanche database here.

6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 63" Depth at Gold Basin: 26"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: SW 20 G 32 Temp: 21° F Percent of Normal (SWE): 68%

Weather

It is 21° F in Gold Basin this morning. SW winds remain elevated and blow 15-20 MPH today with gusts up to 30 MPH. Cloud cover will increase throughout the day. Expect mostly cloudy skies, high temperatures around 25° F, and light snow showers after 5 PM. We should pick up 1-3" of snow overnight. A quick transitory ridge of high pressure builds on Thursday, but doesn't last long, as a potent area of low pressure moves in from California and Oregon. Snow will develop Thursday night with heavy snow expected on Friday. Stay tuned for more details.

General Conditions

Almost a week of strong southerly winds and warm temperatures have really taken a toll on what was already a meager snowpack. The snow surface is highly variable with many south facing slopes melted off. Shady slopes below treeline lack structure and consist entirely of weak, faceted snow. Above treeline, winds have scoured and hardened the snow surface, and a variety of textures exist. Human triggered avalanches are unlikely. If Friday's storm delivers, conditions will become dangerous and we will need to start thinking about avalanches again.

Warm temps, sunshine, and sustained winds have taken a toll on upper-elevation terrain.

Snowpack and Weather Data

Snowpack Observations

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.

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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.