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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Tuesday morning, April 12, 2022
A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. Fresh, unstable drifts are most likely to be found on leeward slopes facing NW through N through SE. Look for fresh drifts on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls and sub ridges. Though mostly shallow and manageable, triggered wind slabs may run far and fast on slick surfaces underneath. You may also encounter some fast running, loose snow sluffs. Utilize slope cuts and test slopes to see how the snow is behaving before committing to steep terrain.
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Special Announcements
This weekend will see the end of regular avalanche forecasts.
Road Conditions: Expect a few inches of new snow on bare dirt.
Grooming: Done for the season.
Weather and Snow
7:00 a.m. weather data:
24 Hour Snow 6" 72 Hour Snow 6" Base Depth at Gold Basin 52" Wind W 10-15 Temp 18F
After cranking all day yesterday in the 25-35 mph range with gusts into the 40's, southerly winds backed off and switched to westerly around 5:00 a.m. this morning. This shift coincided with the frontal passage and subsequent period of highest precipitation intensity, but it looks like only a brief reprieve as W winds will again ramp up into the 20-30 mph range. Skies will remain cloudy today with a lingering chance for snow showers. High temps will be in the upper teens. Overnight lows will crater into the single digits, and clouds will linger into Wednesday. Blustery conditions will continue for the next few days.
Snowpack
6" of new snow combined with wind has created fresh drifts on slopes facing primarily NW-N-SE. Though mostly manageable, fresh drifts are sitting on top of a variety of slick, hard surfaces and may run faster and farther than you expect. You may also encounter some fast running, loose, dry sluffs. Utilize slope cuts and test slopes to see how the snow is behaving before you just jump right in. Prior to this storm, spring conditions were in effect with stout melt freeze crusts on sun exposed slopes, and areas of wind blasted, dryish, transitional snow still hanging around on upper elevation, northerly aspects. Many south facing slopes were melted down to the rocks, and existing lines are getting quite thin on these aspects.
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Unstable areas of recently deposited wind drifted snow are your primary concern today. Fresh drifts are most likely to be found on leeward slopes facing NW through N through SE. Look for fresh drifts on the leeward sides of ridge crests and terrain features such as gully walls and sub ridges. Recent drifts are recognizable by their smooth, rounded appearance, and cracking is a sign of instability. Though mostly shallow and manageable, triggered wind slabs may run far and fast on slick surfaces underneath. Utilize slope cuts and test slopes to see how the snow is behaving before you just jump right in.
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.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
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