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Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Issued by Chris Benson on
Tuesday morning, February 23, 2021
The avalanche danger remains CONSIDERABLE on steep slopes facing NW-NE-SE at upper elevations. In these areas, fresh deposits of wind drifted snow have added stress to buried persistent weak layers, and deep and deep and dangerous human-triggered avalanches up to 4' deep are likely. The avalanche danger is MODERATE elsewhere and human-triggered avalanches remain possible. As the day heats up, be alert to signs of loose wet instability on sun-exposed slopes such as rollerballs or pinwheels and stay out from under steep slopes if they become wet and sloppy.
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Special Announcements
Weather and Snow
Today it will be sunny with increasing clouds. Highs 30 to 40 F. Northwest winds 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. A low pressure trough entering the area tomorrow evening will bring clouds and wind, but no precipitation to our area.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Snowpack Discussion
Plenty of soft dry powder remains on sheltered, northerly aspects, but you still need to keep your slope angles under 30 degrees to avoid triggering an avalanche. Buried persistent weak layers of loose, sugary snow exist deep in the snowpack and storm snow from last week has added stress to these weak layers. Fresh deposits of wind drifted snow have added further stress to the weak snowpack.
Photo below illustrates the type of terrain that should still be avoided. Slope is: 1) steep 2) subject to wind loading 3) northerly facing and therefore harboring layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow.
Under the current conditions, tickling slopes from below can cause avalanches to release from above.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanche activity has been observed since Brian Murdock reported this avalanche on Horse Head Mountain on Monday. It likely ran naturally sometime during the storm last weekend.
Additional Information
Here is some footage from the La Sals with a sobering reminder of our unstable snowpack.
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
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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