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Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Soaring temperatures will cause the danger for loose wet, or even wet slab avalanches to quickly rise to MODERATE on all sun-exposed slopes. With record temps in the forecast, and with light to no overnight refreezes, the danger could reach CONSIDERABLE later in the day. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and punchy or sloppy unsupportable snow. Timing is everything, work slope aspects according to the sun and get off of and out from under steep slopes as they become wet and sloppy.

An isolated or MODERATE avalanche danger exists on very steep slopes above treeline that face NW-N-NE where stiff slabsoverlying weak, faceted snow can still be found. Very warm temperatures may increase the likelihood of triggering an avalanche on this weak, faceted snow. Shallow snowpack areas with steep convexities and rocky, more radical terrain are where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Loose Wet

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Loose Wet Avalanches:

    The danger for loose wet avalanches will quickly rise today as a strong sun melts the thin surface crust. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and "point release" sluffs that fan out and gather more snow as they travel down the slope. Timing is everything today, and you need to get off of steep slopes as they become wet and sloppy.

    Wet Slabs:

    Record temps and light to no overnight re-freezes increase the possibility for wet slab avalanches. This type of wet snow avalanche is harder to predict than loose wet it but can be invariably more dangerous. Wet slabs release when melt water saturates a layer in the snowpack and the overiding slab fails as a cohesive layer. Outward signs of this type of problem are not obvious but sloppy, wet, or punchy snow indicates that the pack is trending towards unstable.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    Weak, sugary, faceted snow still exists near the ground, mostly above treeline on NW-N-NE aspects. Warm temperatures and percolating water in the snowpack may make these layers more reactive to the weight of a skier or rider. Thinner snowpack areas around steep convexities, or in rocky, more radical terrain are where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche failing on this weak, faceted snow.

Special Announcement

Thanks to everyone who donated to our Spring Awareness Campaign!

The Geyser Pass Road is melted down to the dirt up to the parking lot.

The Lower Utah Nordic Alliance is through grooming for the season.

Snow and Weather

Overnight freezes and daytime high temps mean everything right now. Get current and past 24-hour readings from these real-time weather links.

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

SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')

Storm totals and temperatures at the Gold Basin study plot (10,000')

Snowpack Discussion

Light to no freezes overnight will make corn conditions short-lived in the morning. As soon as supportable crusts become wet and you are punching through, it's time to get off of steep slopes. Work aspects with the sun starting with SE by around 9:00 and finish up on WSW before noon. If you are leaving deep ruts and the snow is getting punchy, wet, and sloppy, you are out too late.

Weak, sugary, faceted snow still exists near the ground, especially at higher elevations on NW-E aspects. Warm temperatures and percolating water in the snowpack may make these layers more reactive to the weight of a skier or rider. Slopes with steep convexities and rocky, more radical terrain are where you are most likely to trigger an avalanche failing on this weak, faceted snow.

General Announcements

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.

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