Moab

An overproducing storm brought 10" or more of new snow to the mountains Thursday night. Human-triggered loose snow sluffs and cohesive soft slabs within the new snow remain possible on steep slopes on all aspects today. Approach steep terrain with caution and utilize test slopes to see how the snow is behaving. Look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface or fracturing soft slabs. Increasing winds this afternoon and tonight will blow and drift snow increasing the likelihood of human-triggered wind slab avalanches. Look for unstable drifts to form on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features in upper elevation, wind exposed terrain. And finally, with a strong sun and warmer temps on Sunday, look for an increasing danger for loose, wet avalanches within the most recent snow. Signs of instability include rollerballs and pinwheels. Get off of and out from under steep slopes when they become wet and sloppy.

We're through issuing regular forecasts for the season but will update through the month with a general conditions report as significant weather conditions dictate. We will also continue to publish current observations. I would like to give a huge shout out to all who supported operations this season. This includes everyone who regularly used the forecast to stay safe; our local business sponsors Moab Gear Trader, Talking Mountain Yurts, and ROAM Industry; Black Diamond Equipment, Outdoor Research, Voile, and Arva for setting us up with the gear we need to do our job; the Manti-La Sal National Forest for their tremendous support of this program; and last but not least, our great local community and crew of dedicated observers who provide vital information and assistance throughout the season. Thanks everyone, see you next winter!

Get real-time weather data from these 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')

NWS Weather Forecast

It's a wrap! See you next winter!

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.