Moab

The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations and generally stable snow conditions exist. Watch for areas of unstable snow on isolated terrain features, particularly on steep slopes with complex, rocky, extreme terrain.

Hard snow conditions exist and dangerous "slides for life" are possible. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.

Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is dirt and mud down low, snow packed and icy above. AWD and good tires are recommended.

Grooming: Kirstin from Rim Tours groomed all trails on Thursday.

No new avalanches have been reported since the Dec 31 avalanche cycle. Go here for the complete list.

6:00 a.m. Weather Data

24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow T" Base Depth in Gold Basin 39" Wind NW 20-25 Temp 10F

NW winds began to increase around 3:00 a.m. as another weak system slides down the back of the west coast ridge and tracks through northern Colorado. As has been the pattern, any moisture associated with this system stays to the north, and then east, leaving us with mostly sunny skies, cold temperatures, and blustery northerly winds. Building high pressure will bring more sunny skies and warming temps through the weekend. Models continue to advertise a pattern change next week. Keep your fingers crossed.

NWS Weather Forecast for the La Sal Mountains

Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')

Storm Totals in Gold Basin

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

Snowpack

Widely variable snow surfaces exist ranging from isolated areas of soft snow, to varying thicknesses of wind and sun crusts, to even ice and rock hard wind board. On sheltered shady aspects, snow at or near the surface is becoming loose and weak. This is something to keep an eye on when new snow finally comes. The buried persistent weak layer of faceted snow at the base of the snow pack has gone largely dormant, and it seems like we can put this problem to bed for awhile. This doesn't mean it no longer exists, or that you can't trigger an avalanche on it, but the odds at this point are extremely unlikely. Northerly aspects with thinner snowpack areas, and very steep, rocky, radical terrain are the most suspect.

The beacon training park is up and running above the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Pull out your beacon and practice your skills as you head up the trail! A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts and Moab Gear Trader for their support of this great resource!

Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.

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.