Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Saturday morning, February 12, 2022
The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations and generally stable snow conditions exist. Watch for areas of unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Higher consequence terrain increases your risk where even a small slide could carry you through rocks or over a cliff.
Hard snow conditions exist and dangerous "slides for life" are possible. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
We will be holding a Backcountry 101 course Feb 18, 19. It's a great introduction to understanding avalanche hazard and how to travel through the mountains safely. Go here for details and to register. And a huge thanks to our friends at Moab Gear Trader for their sponsorship of this course!
Road Conditions: The road to Geyser Pass Trailhead is mostly down to the dirt. Some patchy areas of packed snow and ice remain and they are slick. AWD and good tires are recommended.
Grooming: Trails have not been groomed this week. Follow LUNA (Lower Utah Nordic Alliance) on Instagram @luna_moab
Weather and Snow
Conditions will remain dry, sunny, and warm through the weekend. A splitting storm system will bring a chance of precipitation to our area by next Tues-Wed. Use the weather links below for current conditions.
NWS Weather Forecast for the La Sal Mountains
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Snowpack
During extended periods of high pressure we keep a vigilant eye on the development of loose, sugary, faceted snow forming near the surface. Near surface facets can become the next weak layer in the snowpack when new snow lands on top. This weak, sugary, non-cohesive layer can also produce dry loose snow avalanches. In our travels, local observers and I have found the weakest snow on steep, shady, northerly aspects right around treeline and below. Above treeline, conditions are much more variable ranging from from wind scoured and sun crusted, to boiler plate. Where crusts are thin, the snow is faceting underneath. This makes mapping of this future weak layer tricky. Generally speaking, the more sheltered the area, the more likely the the surface is to be weak and faceted. When new snow finally comes, slope by slope analysis will be required when getting into steep terrain.
Recent Avalanches
In our travels last week, we came upon several old, but previously unreported avalanches on the NE side of Laurel Ridge. This area is heavily wooded, but is very steep terrain, and it is worth noting the avalanche potential back there.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Though the avalanche danger is low and generally stable conditions exist, here are some things to keep in mind:
  • Isolated, unstable areas of wind drifted snow may exist on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as sub-ridges and rock outcroppings above treeline. Shallow wind slabs shouldn't pose much of a threat but one could sweep you of your feet and carry you over a cliff, especially if you are stomping around in higher, more extreme terrain. Be wary of smooth rounded deposits, or areas where the snow feels or sounds hollow underneath.
  • As the snow surface continues to weaken we'll start to see loose snow sluffs in steep terrain. These small slides generally won't pose much of a threat but they could sweep you off your feet and carry you over a cliff so be mindful of your exposure.
  • Areas of very firm snow exist where a fall could produce a dangerous, slide for life. Be mindful of your exposure on steep slopes with firm snow, and consider carrying a tool for self arrest in the high country.
Additional Information
The beacon training park is up and running above the Geyser Pass Trailhead. Pull out your beacon and practice your skills as you head up the trail! A huge thanks to Talking Mountain Yurts and Moab Gear Trader for their support of this great resource!
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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.
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >