Moab

Conditions are generally too thin for over snow travel. On isolated, northerly aspects in the high country enough snow exists to make human triggered avalanches possible. A triggered avalanche would likely be small but it could potentially knock you down and send you crashing into rocks. If you find yourself in the high country, avoid steep, wind drifted slopes and look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface. This forecast will be updated as conditons warrant.

The 14th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop is virtual again this year and will be held Nov 9th, 10th, 11th evenings from 6-9pm. More info and speaker lineup on our Events page HERE.

Check all the upcoming education HERE.

After a moist October, which saw more than 2’ of snow fall in the mountains, mostly dry conditions have set in taking a toll on our early season snowpack. Snow on northerly aspects ranges from about 6” at 10,000’ to 18” at upper elevations. Most sun exposed slopes have melted back to the ground. A few folks were able to eek out some early season turns last month, but for now conditions are generally too thin for over snow travel. And, as expected, this dry period has had a negative impact on snowpack structure. A classic La Sal set up with weak, sugary, faceted snow above and below a crust is developing. This will undoubtedly plague us as a basal weak layer in the months ahead.

Photo illustrates crust with faceted weak layers above and below.

Long range models aren't offering much hope at this time but we'll see a chance of precipitation Tuesday into Wednesday. Use the weather links below to stay abreast of current conditions.

BRAND NEW! Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')

La Sal Mountain SNOTEL site (9600') near the Geyser Pass Trailhead.

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

NWS Weather Forecast

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.