Moab
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
Most terrain has generally LOW danger. That said there are still areas where one could trigger an avalanche. Steep, northerly facing terrain right around treeline and below, where the snowpack is thin and weak, is the most suspect. Shallow areas near rock outcroppings or along slope margins are likely trigger points. Daytime heating will be minimal but mid and lower elevations did not get a solid refreeze. Stay off of steep slopes that are wet or punchy. Practice safe travel techniques with an eye toward subtle terrain features that may harbor lingering instabilities.
General Announcements
Check out the avalanche beacon training park at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and practice your rescue skills!
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.
Special Announcement
Road Conditions: The road is a mix of dirt, mud and packed snow that gets sloppy later in the day.
Grooming Report: Trails into Gold Basin were groomed on Friday, and Geyser Pass through the Loppet Loop were rolled out.
Snow and Weather
24 Hour Snow 0" Weekly Snow 13" Base Depth in Gold Basin 54" Wind S 15-20 G35 mph Temp 30F
Weather: A weak stormsystem will move through the region today bringing clouds, breezy SW winds, and trace amounts of snow. High temps will be in the mid 30's. For the upcoming week, another weak system will slip by to the north sometime on Tuesday followed by the potential for a stronger system to affect the southern part of the state on Friday.
Snowpack: Spring-like conditions are in effect. Stout melt-freeze crusts exist on south-facing sun exposed slopes, while northerly facing wind exposed terrain is scoured and firm. Corn-like conditions will be on hold today, and many surfaces will be punchy and unsupportable. Occasional areas of soft, powdery snow can still be found on sheltered aspects. Dave Garcia and Charlie Ramser went big yesterday. Read their observation here.
There is still plenty of loose, weak, sugary snow hanging around on shady aspects right around treeline and below. In some areas, this underlying snow is completely unsupportable. On sun exposed slopes the upper layers are becoming saturated, and in some shallow snowpack areas, the weak, faceted snow underneath is wet to the ground.
Loose, weak, faceted snow makes up much of the underlying snowpack on shady aspects.
Wind, temperature, humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Storm totals at Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000').
Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').