Bollettino valanghe

Moab

Utah Avalanche Center
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Pericolo valanghe

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco
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Non aggiornato — questo bollettino è scaduto 5 years ago. Stai vedendo condizioni passate, non il bollettino in corso.

In sintesi

You can still trigger deep and dangerous avalanches on steep NW-N-SE aspects and the avalanche danger is a solid MODERATE in these areas. The danger increases with elevation where wind drifted snow has added stress to buried persistent weak layers. Avoid areas where the snowpack is thinner as this is where it is possible to trigger deep and dangerous avalanches. Most S-SW facing terrain has LOW danger.

Problemi valanghivi

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alta quota
    • Limite del bosco
    • Sotto il limite del bosco
    Probabilità
    Possible
    Dimensione
    3

    Poor snowpack structure still exists with buried persistent weak layers of loose, sugary, faceted snow on most aspects. This structure is unusually hazardous this winter. The most dangerous areas are on slopes above treeline that face NW-NE-SE where wind drifted snow has created slabs 1'-3' deep on top of these buried weak layers. Once triggered, these slab avalanches would be large and unsurvivable. The snowpit below submited by Chris Benson illustrates the problem. Picture building blocks stacked on top of one another with varying strengths and thicknesses, and note the very precarious situation between 10-20 cms. This is the layer of weak, sugary snow that the rest of the snowpack is sitting on.

Special Announcement

The Geyser Pass Road was plowed last week. It is snow-packed, icy, and slick. 4x4 with good tires is recommended.

The Lower Utah Nordic Alliance (LUNA) will be up grooming this afternoon.

Snow and Weather

24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Base Depth in Gold Basin 48" Wind WNW 10-15 Temp 12F

Another sunny day is in store with light to moderate NW winds and high temps in the low to mid 20's. A shortwave trough moving into the region will bring snow to the north with little more than clouds and a very slight chance of precipitation to our area tonight and tomorrow. Dry conditions return Sunday and into early next week. Models are currently in disagreement over what happens after that but there are no obvious big storms on the horizon.

NWS Weather Forecast.

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

Snotel site near Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')

Storm totals at the Gold Basin study plot (10,000')

Snowpack Discussion

Warm temperatures and time have helped consolidate the snowpack, but weak layers are still present, especially in shady areas at higher elevations. In my travels through south-facing terrain yesterday, I found thin and variable snow cover and crusted surfaces. Soft settled powder still exists on sheltered, northerly aspects. Outward signs of instability are far and few between but on Wednesday, Chris Benson still experienced localized whumpfing on a ridgeline where the snowpack was thinner and weaker. A poor snowpack structure still exists and on slopes facing NW-N-SE a slab 1'-3' thick exists on top of buried, weak, facets. These slabs are becoming harder to trigger but once released they would produce deep and dangerous avalanches. Likely trigger points include shallower areas along slope margins, around sparse trees or rock outcroppings, or on repeat running slide paths. It's a gamble out there right now, and it's not a chance any of the forecasters or observers I know are willing to take.

Chris Benson sums up conditions in the video below:

Additional Info

Here is a summary of data for the period between Feb 3 - 17. Note the single greatest loading event of the season with more than 15" of snow 1.5" Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) in a 12 hour period on Feb 13.

General Announcements

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.

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