Avalanche forecast

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 8 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE and human triggered avalanches are likely on any steep, wind drifted slope. The problem is most widespread on steep, upper elevation slopes that face W-N-SE, but you need to be alert to possible wind drifts on all aspects. In addition to problems with wind drifted snow, deep and dangerous avalanches failing on a buried persistent weak layer are also likely. This problem exists primarily on steep slopes facing NW-N-SE, in mid and upper elevation terrain, but there is also a possibility for triggering this type of avalanche on west, or even south facing terrain. Conservative terrain choices remain essential. Stick to low angle, wind sheltered terrain and meadows. On low elevation, and most south facing terrain, the danger is MODERATE.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    Moderate to strong winds over the past week have blown and drifted snow forming deep, hard wind slabs in exposed terrain. They will be stiff and stubborn today, but when they break, they could fail several feet deep. Due to the intensity of the winds, and high quantity of snow available for transport, drifting has occurred on all aspects. Avoid any steep slope that shows signs of recent wind loading. Expect to find recent drifts on the lee sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls, sub-ridges, and rock outcroppings. Fresh drifts are recognizable by their smooth rounded, pillowy appearance, and cracking in the snow surface is a sign of an unstable drift or wind slab.

    Areas of wind drifted snow cover the high country. Note all the smooth, "pillowy" rounded deposits. Avoid steep wind drifted terrain such as this. Dave Garcia photo.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    4

    Wind drifted snow has put additional stress on buried, persistent weak layers. The primary concern is a layer of weak, sugary, faceted snow that formed in mid December. Since Christmas Eve, regular storms have now piled more than 4' of snow on top of this layer. Add wind drifting, and we've seen avalanches up to 7' deep. The danger is greatest on steep slopes facing the north half of the compass, but I've found weak snow on all aspects. Time, warmer temperatures, and a deeper snowpack will ultimately aid in strengthening weak layers, but Friday's fatal avalanche demonstrates how real the threat remains.

Special Announcement

Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and friends of local Monticello resident, Scott Pehrson Jr. who was caught and buried by a fatal avalanche in the La Sals on Friday, January 25. Search and rescue teams recovered his body yesterday afternoon. Much thanks to San Juan, and Grand County Search and Rescues, Classic Air Medical and the Utah Department of Public Safety, Snowbird, Wasatch Powder Bird Guides, and professional dog teams from Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta, and Park City ski patrols. Here is the preliminary report that will be updated with more information soon.

We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche course on Feb 8, 9. It's a great way to up your avalanche knowledge with both classroom, and hands on field instruction. Click here for more details and to register. Much thanks to Moab Gear Trader for sponsoring this course! Please visit them for all of your winter backcountry needs.

Recent Activity

Explosives were used to protect the scene for search and rescue crews recovering the body from Friday's fatal avalanche. Similar, human triggered avalanches remain likely.

Here are some pictures from the fatal avalanche.

Tim Mathews photo.

Snow and Weather

Warmer temps and slower wind speeds are the only changed in weather this morning. Skies are clear and 10,000' temps are in the high teens, and NW winds are light blowing 5-15 mph along ridge tops. Today look for sunny skies and high temps in the upper 20's. NW winds will continue to be mostly light. There are no storms for the foreseeable future.

Soft snow conditions can still be found in sheltered locations but much of the exposed terrain has taken a hit from the wind and sun. The snowpack is complex and dangerous with buried, persistent weak layers and a liberal scattering of wind slabs. Don't let the sunny day lure you into a false sense of security. For quality and safety, stick to low angle, wind sheltered terrain.

Base depth in Gold Basin: 60"

New snow totals in Gold Basin (10,000')

Snow totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')

Wind, temperature, and humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')

National Weather Service point forecast.

Additional Info

Grooming: Volunteers from LUNA have been busy all week packing down the new snow, and yesterday they completed grooming the entire mountain from Gold Basin through Geyser Pass on Thursday.

General Announcements

Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations HERE. You can also call me at 801-647-8896, or send me an email: [email protected].

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

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