Bollettino valanghe

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

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In sintesi

A CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger exists on steep, wind drifted slopes near treeline and above that face NW-N-E and human-triggered avalanches are LIKELY. In these areas, triggered slabs of wind drifted snow have the potential to step down into weaker, faceted snow underneath causing a deeper, and more dangerous avalanche. A MODERATE danger exists on W and SE aspects where you can detect recent deposits of wind drifted snow. West facing slopes also harbor weak, faceted snow underneath, and deeper, more dangerous avalanches are possible in these areas.

Most south facing terrain near treeline and below has LOW danger due to the effects of wind scouring and low snow conditions. Small avalanches on isolated terrain features remain possible.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2

    Winds continue to hammer, blowing and drifitng snow on to leeward facing slopes. On steep, northerly aspects, slabs of wind drifted snow exist over top of buried weak, sugary, faceted snow. Deeper, and more dangerous human triggered avalanches are likely in these areas.

    Isolated slabs of wind drifted snow may also be found on other aspects. Look for them on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls and subridges. They are often recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance, and cracking is a sign of instability. Old hard slabs will support your weight initially and they may sound hollow underneath. Hard slabs may lure you further down slope before breaking well above you. Avoid steep, wind drifted slopes.

    Blowing and drifting snow on Tuesday.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Likely
    Dimensione
    2

    The snow pack overall is weak, but the December drought layer (buried roughly 15 inches deep) is the primary layer of concern. A slab now exists on top of this weak layer. Near treeline and below, the storm snow has settled into a thick, cohesive layer. Near treeline and above, elevated winds have stiffened the snow and produced slabs of wind drited snow overtop of this weak layer. Outward signs of instability such as cracking and whumphing are not yet presenting themselves, but just by jabbing your pole through to the ground you can feel the poor structure. Below, see a snowpit and extended column test results from a west aspect near 10,000'. This weak layer is present at all elevations on slopes facing W-N-E.

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Road Conditions: The Geyser Pass Road was last plowed on Monday. Several inches of new and drifted snow now cover it. 4x4 or AWD is required.

Grooming: Expect fresh snow on the trails today.

Snow and Weather

6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow 3" 72 Hour Snow 8" Season Total Snow 71" Base Depth at Gold Basin 37"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: WNW 5-15 Temp -5˚ F

Weather

Under the influence of cold, northwest flow and a solid arctic air mass, temperatures have cratered into the sub-zero realm. It will remain cold today with high temps barely creeping up into the lower teens. Westerly winds will be on the increase, and it will be blustery up there with periods of blowing snow. Look for partly sunny skies with increasing clouds later today. Just to our north, the jet stream continues to feed copius amounts of moisture into the intermountain region. We'll see a slight chance for snow tonight followed by a better chance on Sunday with about 6" possible.

General Conditions

Incremental snow loading combined with wind has kept us in a holding pattern as far as avalanche conditions are concerned. Roughly 30" of snow has fallen over the past week and it's settling into a cohesive soft slab over top of our weak, underlying snowpack. Outward signs of instability such as cracking and whumphing are not widespread, but reports are trickling in (see this observation from Ed Grote). This indicates that the weak layer is failing under the overriding slab. In the wind zone, shifting winds have alternately stripped and loaded a variety of aspects. On northerly facing slopes, soft and hard slabs of wind drifted snow 1'-2' thick have developed. In these areas, human triggered avalanches are likely to step down into buried weaker layers. The bottom line is that we are going to need to tread lightly over these buried persistent weak layers for awhile, and that means generally avoiding steep, W-N-E facing terrain.

Keep those observations coming in! For a list of recent observations go here.

Settlement cones around the base of trees and these young aspen shoots indicate how much the low density snow from last weekend has settled and consolidated.

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.

Additional Info

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General Announcements

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.

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