Moab

The avalanche danger is LOW and the snowpack is generally stable. Watch for unstable snow on isolated features or in areas of extreme terrain. There are three potential problems to look out for today:

• Dry loose avalanches of weak surface snow on steep, shady slopes.
• Isolated pockets of wind-drifted snow on leeward slopes above treeline.
• Wet loose avalanches on sun exposed slopes as the day heats up.

Check out this recent blog post from Forest Service UAC Director Paige Pagnucco Weak Snow: Today's Surface, Tomorrow's Avalanche Problem.

Drew Hardesty has a new blog titled "The Greatest Rain on Earth."

Geyser Pass Road Conditions: The road is down to the dirt down low while sections of packed snow and ice remain above. AWD with good tires recommended.

Grooming: LUNA groomed all trails last Monday.

We are looking to reschedule our Moab Backcountry 101 Class to February 20, 21 in the hopes that we will have more snow. Click here for information and registration. Moab and Monticello locals can use the discount code MOAB-LOCAL for a 10% discount.

No recent avalanches have been reported.

24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 44" Depth at Gold Basin: 27"

Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NW 10-15 Temp: 24°F

Weather

The ridge of high pressure that has dominated the region looks like it will finally begin to break down this week. Details remain murky but at the very least, a change is afoot. Today and tomorrow remain sunny and very warm before a messy pattern takes over on Tuesday. Our first chance for snow comes on Wednesday but with major discrepancies on timing and coverage. The long range looks active but not without a fair amount of model disagreement. Stay tuned and hope for the best.

General Conditions

It felt like April, or even May in the mountains yesterday as I wandered around the Warner Lake area. Temperatures were frighteningly warm and snow cover was thin at 9500 feet. By now I don't need to tell you any of this but the high peaks have been blasted by the wind leaving scoured and crusted surfaces, while south facing slopes are melting out. Remarkably, you can still get around fairly easily and the intrepid are finding good turns in soft "recycled powder" on sheltered shady slopes. In these areas, the snowpack has faceted all the way through to the ground but in addition to providing soft snow for skiing and riding, it's also very prone to sluffing and creating dry loose avalanches. Be mindful of your terrain choices as you manage this hazard.

With soaring temperatures, we may see some loose wet avalanche activity on sun exposed slopes. Although many south aspects are melted off, west facing slopes that have snow will get particularly warm this afternoon.

Haystack Mountain showing all the available conditions. Wind blasted north face above treeline, southwest face melting out to the rocks, and sheltered near treeline terrain where the snowpack is faceted through.

See all recent observations here.

Snowpack and Weather Data

NEW! Gold Basin webcam storm stake

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.

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.