Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Wednesday morning, December 25, 2019
The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE and human triggered avalanches are likely on steep, upper elevation, wind drifted slopes that face W-N-E. Wind drifts are recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance and cracking is a sign of instability. Avoid steep slopes with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Human triggered avalanches within the storm snow are also possible and the danger is MODERATE on steep slopes on all aspects. Storm snow avalanches can either come in the form of loose sluffs, or cohesive soft slabs. And finally, a triggered wind drift, or storm snow avalanche may have the potential to step down into a buried, persistent weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche. Be conservative in your terrain selection today and allow the new snow to settle in and adjust.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
A white Christmas has come! Camp Jackson and Buckboard snotel sites are reporting 14"-16" of new snow this morning. Expect 20" or more up at N Creek Pass. SE winds blew in the 20 mph range with gusts into the 30's for most of the day yesterday. They continued through the night before dropping off and shifting to the SW around 0300. They are currently averaging 10 mph with gusts in the low 20's. It's 20 degrees at 10,000'.
Today look for lingering snow showers, light to moderate SW winds, with high temps in the low 20's. A moist, southwesterly flow will keep the possibility for snow showers going through Thursday. On Friday, a closed Pacific low will move across Arizona. How it will affect us remains uncertain.
Webcam image courtesy of Kevin Dressel.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')
Recent Avalanches
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.