Moab

Expect the avalanche danger to rise today and be alert to changing conditions!

The avalanche danger starts out MODERATE this morning but will likely reach CONSIDERABLE later today as fresh deposits of wind drifted snow form sensitive soft slabs on steep, upper elevation slopes that face NW through E. Human triggered avalanches will become increasingly more likely throughout the day and natural avalanches may be possible. Fresh deposits of wind drifted snow will also add additional stress to the underlying, weak snowpack structure increasing the likelihood for dangerous human triggered avalanches 2'-3' deep where stiff slabs exist over a buried persistent weak layer.

Most low elevation, and low and mid elevation S-SW facing terrain has a generally LOW danger.

It's also still very low tide out there. Beware of rocks, stumps, and deadfall lurking beneath the surface.

No new avalanches have been reported since last week's storm event. Here is the current avalanche list.

Road Conditions: Expect to find accumulating new and wind drifted snow on the road today.

Grooming: LUNA (Lower Utah Nordic Alliance) groomed all trails on Monday. Follow them on Instagram @luna_moab. Thanks Matt!

24 Hour Snow 1" 72 Hour Snow 1" Base Depth in Gold Basin 22" Wind SW 25-35 G45 Temp 32F

The curse of the La Sals. As mountainous regions all around us have snow stacking up we've picked up about an inch so far from the Category 4 atmospheric river that is sweeping through the West. But at least we're getting the wind! Snowfall "should" continue throughout the day and we could see 4"-8" by nightfall. SW winds will continue to crank and high temps will be in the mid 20's. An active weather pattern continues into early next week with our next chance for snow coming Sat night into Sun and then again around Tuesday. Let's hope we can squeeze some snow out of this period.

Snowpack

You will need to be alert to changing conditions today as the amount of new and wind drifted snow we receive will directly correlate to an increase in danger. Watch for the formation of sensitive fresh drifts on the leeward signs of terrain features and be alert to signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface. With the potential for snow continuing over the next several days, we will have to be alert to a "re-awakening" of our buried, persistent weak layer. This problem exists on all northerly aspects where a dense slab 2'-3' thick exists over weak, October facets. The danger increases with elevation and as new snow accumulates, triggering a deep and dangerous avalanche in these areas will become increasingly more likely.

Overall snow cover remains quite thin but soft, settled powder over a supportable base can still be found in sheltered areas. Sun and wind exposed slopes are pretty hammered, and rocks, stumps, and deadfall continue to pose hazards.

Weather Links

Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')

Storm Totals in Gold Basin

Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')

NWS Weather Forecast

And for you snow geeks out there. Check out this snowpit from Travis Nauman. Picture it as building blocks as it illustrates hard or denser layers over weak layers. The further a layer is shown stretching out to the left, the harder it is. The weak layer of concern is between 35-40 cms. Thanks Travis!

Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.

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