Moab

Most terrain has generally LOW danger. Small avalanches on isolated terrain features are possible. This time of year small avalanches can take you for a rough and rocky ride given our shallow early-season snowpack.

Conditions remain very thin, and rocks, stumps, and logs lurk below the surface everywhere. Exercise extreme caution getting around.

Geyser Pass Road Conditions: The road has been plowed but the surface is snowpacked and slick. All wheel drive and good tires recommended.

Grooming: The Geyser Pass road above the trailhead will close to vehicles on Dec 15. Grooming will commence after that.

Thanks to all who attended our Welcome to Winter bash last night. It was a blast!

Friday, January 30 - Saturday, January 31 - Moab Backcountry 101 Class - Our annual local backcountry avalanche class. Click here for information and registration. Moab and Monticello locals can use the discount code MOAB-LOCAL for a 10% discount.

No recent activity has been observed. Click here for the complete avalanche database.

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 21" Depth at Gold Basin: 15"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: SE 5-10 Temp: 27° F

Weather

The biggest news is that after more than a week of winds blowing out of the northwest, they shifted to the southeast just after midnight last night. Temperatures on Pre Laurel Peak remain warm at 36°F while it's 27°F in Gold Basin. Sunny with temperatures 10-15 degrees above normal continues to be the trend. By mid-week the relentless ridge begins to flatten it's still going to be awhile after that before we see any significant change. Models continue to advertise a wetter pattern coming Christmas week.

General Conditions

Thin and variable best describe conditions. Relentless winds from the northwest have scoured and severely textured exposed slopes facing west through north, while sun crusts and spring-like conditions are developing on solar aspects. The highest quality turns are found on sheltered northerly facing slopes near treeline, but options are limited due to low snow conditions. The average height of snow is between 12 - 24 inches.

Wind-ravaged snow surface near Geyser Pass.

Snowpack and Weather Data

NEW! Gold Basin webcam storm stake

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.

It's never too early to start thinking about avalanches. Here are a few things to consider doing:

• Learn online. We have over 5 hours of free online learning at the Know Before You Go website
• Check out the upcoming in-person Know Before You Go events HERE
• Sign up for an on-snow class
• Check out the UAC's education progression HERE
• Get your avalanche rescue gear ready for winter. Put fresh batteries in your transceiver and update the firmware. Inspect your shovel and probe. Get your airbag backpack ready by possibly doing a test deployment and updating the firmware if it is an electric version or getting your canister refilled if it's not electronic.

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.