Moab

Recent snow at upper elevations and rapidly warming temperatures today will create a MODERATE avalanche danger. At upper elevations, shallow soft slab avalanches may be possible on steep slopes that have more than about 6" of new snow. As the day heats up the new snow will become more susceptible to sliding on sunny aspects. The old snow will also be affected and loose wet avalanches will be possible on sun-exposed slopes at all elevations. Pay attention to signs of instability such as pinwheels, roller balls, and loose wet sluffs, and stay off of steep slopes that are wet and punchy.

Road Conditions: The road is a mix of dirt, mud and packed snow that gets sloppy later in the day.

Grooming Report: Trails were last groomed on Friday.

24 Hour Snow 2" Weekly Snow 3" Base Depth in Gold Basin 54" Wind W 5-10 mph Temp 29F

Wind, temperature, humidity on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')

Storm totals at Gold Basin Study Plot (10,000').

Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600').

NWS weather forecast.

Weather: Yesterday's storm, though only producing 2" at the Gold Basin Study plot, delivered a surprise 6" of dense, heavy snow higher up in the basin. The rain/snow line crept up to around the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600') while 10,000' temps hovered just above freezing most of the day. Southerly ridgetop winds averaged 10-15 mph with gusts to 30. Today look for mostly sunny skies, light WNW winds, and very warm temps in the low 40's. We should see increasing clouds later today as the much anticipated low off the Southern California coast moves inland. This moist system has the potential to give us a good shot of snow tomorrow but there are still a few discrepancies in the models. Keep your fingers crossed!

Snowpack: Our intrepid observers Dave Garcia and Reed Kennard braved the soggy weather yesterday and were duly rewarded with a "northwest powder day." Read their observation here. The new snow has improved conditions at upper elevations but the old snow surface was a widely variable mix of sun and wind crusts with occasional areas of soft snow. Underneath, the pack is equally as variable, with lots of loose, weak, sugary snow hanging around on shady aspects below treeline, and moist, punchy conditions at lower elevations or on sun-exposed slopes.

One year ago we had a historic avalanche cycle in the La Sals. A notoriously bad persistent weak layer had been plaguing the snowpack for most of the season when weekly water totals of 3" and strong SW winds broke the scales triggering this massive avalanche in Horse Creek on the NE facing ridge up to Pre Laurel Peak. The average depth was more than 6' and it measured 2500' wide. Within days, another 3" of water and 32" of snow would bring the house down! Stay tuned for more pics.

Observer Dave Garcia at the crown of a massive avalanche in Horse Creek observed on March 9, 2019. Mark Staples photo.

Check out the avalanche beacon training park at the Geyser Pass Trailhead and practice your rescue skills!

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.