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Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Friday morning, March 27, 2020
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on steep, wind drifted, upper elevation slopes that face NW-N-E. Wind drifts are recognizable by their smooth rounded appearance, and cracking is a sign of instability. In these same areas, an isolated possibility exists for an avalanche to fail on a buried persistent weak layer of loose, sugary, faceted snow. Most other terrain has generally LOW danger.
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Special Announcements
UAC operating schedule - We will continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into mid April.
Spring Awareness Campaign - The UAC counts on donations from the backcountry community. We know these are uncertain times and any donation during our awareness campaign will help us continue providing avalanche forecasting and education.
CDC Guidelines - Even in the backcountry and in parking lots, please follow CDC guidelines like limiting group size and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people to protect yourself and others. Read the guidelines HERE.
Taking risks - Be extra conservative to avoid the risk of accidents which can stress the capacity of our medical system.
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.
Weather and Snow
Weather:
Skies are cloudy and SW winds are mostly light after cranking in the moderate to strong range most of the day yesterday. An elongated trough currently stretching across the Great Basin will bring us a chance for a couple of inches of snow today. SW winds will blow in the 15-20 mph range with gusts as high as 30, and daytime high temps will be in the mid 20's. Brief ridging will bring mostly sunny skies to the area tomorrow followed by another weak system late Sun into Monday.
Snowpack:
On Tuesday, my partner Kevin Dressel and I still found great turning and riding conditions on sheltered, northerly facing terrain. The sun has been out and exposed slopes are crusted over. Southerly winds have blown and drifted snow on to upper elevation northerly facing slopes. Underneath, a layer of weak, sugary, faceted snow exists that may be problematic after the most recent snow load. In isolated areas, a triggered wind drift could step down to this buried weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche.
Kevin Dressel photo.
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.
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