Moab

Heightened avalanche conditions exist and the danger is MODERATE on steep, wind drifted slopes on all aspects above treeline, and on slopes that face NW-N-NE-E near treeline. Human triggered avalanches involving recent deposits of wind drifted snow are possible. Triggered wind slabs may run farther than you expect on slick, hard surfaces underneath. Keep this in mind when in consequential terrain.

Under a strong sun today, the danger may rise to MODERATE for loose wet avalanche activity on steep, sun exposed slopes. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.

Becoming more the exception than the rule, it may still be possible to trigger a deep hard slab avalanche failing on buried persistent weak layers. This problem exists near treeline and above on slopes facing NW-N-NE-E and the danger remains MODERATE. Very steep slopes with a shallow snowpack are the most suspect areas.

No construction today and the road will be open.

Geyser Pass Road: The road has not been plowed and is a bit sporty, especially on the upper half with ruts up to a foot deep. 4x4 required.

Grooming Conditions: Trails are packed into Gold Basin.

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Of all the natural wind slab activity observed over the past several days, this avalanche on Noriega's Face reported by Tim Mathews is the most impressive.

See the complete avalanche database here.

6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 11" Season Total Snow: 138" Depth at Gold Basin: 54"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NE 20-30 G 40 Temp: 14° F

Weather

As the deep low pressure system moves on to the east we'll be left with some breezy northeast winds today. They started ramping up around 10:00 pm last night and although access to Pre Laurel Peak data remains finicky, it ran through 2:00 a.m. this morning. Average speeds were between 20-30 mph with gusts as high as 40 mph. Skies will be mostly sunny today and high temperatures will be in the upper 20's to low 30's. High pressure begins to build over the region on Sunday with steadily increasing temperatures each day through the upcoming week.

General Conditions

An accumulated 18" of snow this week made for excellent conditions yesterday and people were out getting after it on all aspects. North facing slopes were particularly good and our party ventured up into one of the high cirques in Gold Basin for our first time this season. Skiing and riding was also good on southerly aspects although you could still feel the hard surface underneath in some areas. Dave Garcia's party also reported that sunny slopes took on a little heat when the sun peaked out.

We've experienced a pretty good round of natural wind slab avalanche activity with some breaking quite wide, and nearly all running far on the slick hard surface underneath. Most have occurred on steep, northerly aspects above treeline and although growing more stubborn to release, there are still plenty of fat pockets up high that you still don't want to mess with. Keep this in mind if you have your sights set on any large objective. Northeast winds are also likely to be a factor today. Expect the snow surface to take a bit of hit, and with plenty of snow available for transport, we are likely to see a fresh round of wind slab development on all aspects above treeline.

Pretty awesome day up there yesterday. Pro Tip: stop short of the steeper, wind drifted terrain 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.

Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Brett "Kowboy" Kobernick where he discusses faceted persistent weak layers and how "nobody is immune from getting killed in an avalanche."

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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.