Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Monday morning, March 16, 2020
Blowing and drifting snow have created isolated wind slabs on upper elevation slopes facing NW-N-E. In these areas, there is a MODERATE danger for human triggered avalanches involving recent deposits of wind drifted snow. With a strong sun and warming temps, we may see some loose wet activity on steep, sun-exposed slopes. Be alert to signs of instability such as roller balls and pinwheels, and stay off of steep slopes that become wet and sloppy.
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Special Announcements
We know there is a lot of uncertainty regarding the Coronavirus, but the Utah Avalanche Center is planning to continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into April.
Weather and Snow
Look for mostly sunny skies this morning with increasing clouds later today. Southerly winds will continue to blow in the 15-20 mph range with gusts into the 30's. High temps will rise up into the low 40's. Dry and breezy conditions continue through tomorrow followed by the next Pacific low-pressure system that will begin tracking across the desert southwest on Wednesday.
2"-4" of snow fell on Friday accompanied by strong southerly winds. I've been receiving reports of shallow cracking and wind drifting along upper elevation ridge crests. The snowpack is otherwise a mixed bag of surface conditions with crusts of varying strengths and thicknesses with some loose, sugary snow developing in shallow, shady, wooded areas.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
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.