Moab

The avalanche danger is generally LOW. Small avalanches are possible on isolated terrain features or in areas of extreme terrain. As the day heats up, be alert to signs of wet instability such as roller balls and pinwheels on sun exposed slopes. Stay off of, and out from under steep slopes if theses signs are present.

Road Conditions: The Geyser Pass Road was plowed on Monday 3/18. It gets pretty sloppy and muddy later in the day.

Grooming: Ranger Ben groomed all trails on Wednesday. Lots of traffic over soft snow has made them pretty rough.

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Catch the Banff Mountain Film Festival tonight at Star Hall. For tickets and information visit our event page.

Some loose, wet avalanche activity continues to be observed, primarily on westerly aspects in the heat of the afternoon. Other than that, it's been nearly a week since the last avalanche cycle produced widespread natural activity primarily involving wind drifted snow. Two, repeat running avalanche paths failed on basal facets near the ground including this avalanche in Horse Creek.

6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 168" Depth at Gold Basin 60"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NW 15-20 Temp 24° F Percent of Normal: 117%

Weather

Winds from the NW have been on the increase overnight. Look for mostly clear skies this morning with clouds developing this afternoon as a shortwave disturbance passes by to the north. High temps at 10,000' will be near 40F. Winds will shift to the SW on Saturday and start cranking up ahead of a decent looking storm system. Skies will be mostly cloudy tomorrow with wind speeds up to 40 mph. Snowfall should begin sometime Saturday night with 6"-8" possible through Sunday. Unsettled weather continues through next week.

General Conditions March conditions are in full effect and you can find a little bit of everything out there right now. Local observer Sam Van Wetter was out and about yesterday and he reported both melt- freeze and wind crusts, as well as some loose, wet avalanche activity in the afternoon. He also found good skiing on upper elevation, northerly aspects. Over the past several days people have been pushing further into the high country without incident, and human triggered avalanches are unlikely at this time.

For a look at general conditions and a review of the last storm and avalanche cycle, check out the video below from our tour on Wednesday.

Snowpack and Weather Data

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.

Want some more insight into the La Sal Mountains as well as the communal impacts of a tragic avalanche? Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Eric Trenbeath where he discusses the range, it's often treacherous snowpack, and how the devastating avalanche in February, 1992, affected the Moab community.

Our avalanche beacon checker sign and beacon training park are up and running. A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts for sponsoring those this season!

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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.