Moab

The overall danger is LOW and generally safe avalanche conditions exist. Watch for unstable snow in outlying areas. Human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, but small avalanches remain possible in isolated areas or extreme terrain. Steep northerly facing slopes carry the highest risk. Be alert to changing conditions. If snow totals exceed the forecast, instabilities can quickly develop involving new and drifted snow.

Urgent battery replacement required for anyone who received batteries from one of our participating "Batteries for Beacons" shops. Please review the "Batteries for Beacons" replacement notice on our blog. Batteries distributed through our "Batteries for Beacons" program this year have shown to be inadequate length.

Geyser Pass Road: Surface is mainly snowpacked and icy above and bare dirt down low. AWD with good tires recommended.

Grooming Conditions: LUNA is unfortunately experiencing a lack of available groomers this season and trails have not been groomed for more than a week.

See the avalanche database here.

6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 63" Depth at Gold Basin: 29"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: 19-25 NNE Temp: 23° F Percent of Normal (SWE): 73%

Weather

Under broken skies this morning, it is 23° F in Gold Basin. Overnight winds were southeasterly and averaged in the teens MPH with gusts in the 20s MPH to low 30s MPH. Winds will shift to the WNW and blow 10-15 MPH throughout the day. High temperatures will reach 28° F under mostly cloudy skies. The closed low centered over Arizona will track east throughout the day. As a result, the mountains of southeast Utah will see isolated snow showers. We are right on the northern fringe of any snowfall, but we may pick up a trace to 2" of snow. Skies will gradually clear after 8 PM. A warming trend is on tap into the weekend and early next week. High temperatures at 10,000' could reach the low 40s° F.

General Conditions

I traveled around Gold Basin on Monday, and you can read my report here. It's no secret that conditions are pretty rough out there, and we definitely need some snow. Today's system looks like a bust, and won't do much to improve conditions. Low avalanche danger and generally stable conditions are great for getting up high and taking in some views, just as long as you have low standards for the ski back down. Above treeline terrain is generally very hard and wind blasted. Near treeline and below is a mix of variable, and somewhat grabby conditions.

The overall snowpack is weak in many places. When it does snow again, we will see the avalanche danger rise quickly. For now, continue to look for weak surface snow near the treeline and below, which can result in small dry-loose avalanches on very steep slopes. If you're getting up high, you may encounter old shallow drifts that may still be sensitive to the weight of a skier or rider. If today's storm totals exceed the forecast, be aware of changing conditions. New snow and wind can quickly lead to instabilities involving wind-drifted snow near treeline and above.

Snowpack and Weather Data

Snowpack Observations

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.

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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.