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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Friday morning, April 15, 2022
A MODERATE avalanche danger exists on steep slopes that have recent deposits of wind drifted snow. 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.
As temperatures warm today be alert to signs of loose, wet instability such as rollerballs and pinwheels, and stay off of steep slopes if they become wet and sloppy.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
This weekend will see the end of regular avalanche forecasts.
Road Conditions: Bare dirt down low, mud and a few inches of rutted snow on the upper end.
Grooming: Done for the season.
Weather and Snow
7:00 a.m. weather data:
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 8" Base Depth at Gold Basin 54" Wind SW 15-25 G30 Temp 32F
Morning temperatures are the warmest they've been all week at just around freezing and they'll climb up into the low 40's today. Breezy SW winds will continue to blow in the 15-25 mph range along ridge tops. Unsettled westerly flow aloft, and the passage of a weak shortwave to the north may bring a few clouds to the area with mostly cloudy conditions developing overnight. Saturday will bring partly sunny skies, continued breezy SW winds, and high temps in the upper 40's. Sunday looks clear and sunny.
Snowpack
isolated, unstable wind drifts up to a foot deep exist on leeward slopes facing primarily north and east. Breezy SW winds today will continue to transport snow on to these aspects. The underlying bed surface is slick and hard, and triggered avalanches may run faster and farther than you expect. This makes even small avalanches dangerous, especially in consequential terrain such as above cliffs or rock bands. Utilize slope cuts to see how the snow is behaving before jumping in to consequential terrain. If you see cracking or blocks of snow breaking off, you've found an unstable wind slab. Winds today should slow down surface heating, but as the day heats up you'll need to be alert to signs of loose wet instability such as rollerballs and pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow.
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Storm Totals in Gold Basin
Wind Station on Pre Laurel Peak (11,700')
Recent Avalanches
In our travels Wednesday we observed a natural wind slab release on a NE aspect above treeline. About a foot deep and isolated to the ridge crest, it was about 50' wide but it did manage to entrain loose snow and run nearly full track. We also observed evidence of numerous, loose, dry avalanches that ran during the height of the storm on Tuesday in very steep terrain.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Unstable areas of recently deposited wind drifted snow remain your primary concern. 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. Triggered wind slabs may run far and fast on the underlying slick bed surface, entraining more loose snow as they go. Utilize slope cuts and test slopes to see how the snow is behaving before you just jump right in.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
As temperatures warm today, be on the lookout for signs of wet stability such as rollerballs, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow. Get off of and out from under steep slopes if they become wet and sloppy.
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.