Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Friday morning, February 1, 2019
The avalanche danger is MODERATE today, but deep and dangerous, human triggered avalanches, failing on a buried persistent weak layer are still possible. You are most likely to encounter this problem on slopes steeper than about 35 degrees that face W-N-SE. The danger is greatest on slopes with a northerly component and local observers and I are going to continue to avoid this type of terrain. There also remains an isolated, or MODERATE possibility for triggering an old, hard wind slab in exposed areas. Suspect smooth, rounded pockets, or ribbons of hard snow that feel hollow underneath. Most S-SW facing terrain offers generally LOW danger.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
I've completed the final report on Friday's fatal avalanche in the La Sals. Our deepest sympathies continue to go out to the family and friends of local Monticello resident, Scott Pehrson Jr. who was killed in the accident. Much thanks to San Juan, and Grand County Search and Rescues, Classic Air Medical and the Utah Department of Public Safety, Snowbird, Wasatch Powder Bird Guides, and professional dog teams from Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta, and Park City ski patrols.
We will be offering a Backcountry 101 avalanche course on Feb 8, 9. It's a great way to up your avalanche knowledge with both classroom, and hands on field instruction. Click here for more details and to register.
Weather and Snow
Skies are clear, westerly winds are light, and 10,000' temps are in the low teens. It's going to he another gorgeous day in the mountains before things start to change, so get up and enjoy the beautiful weather before snow returns on Sunday! Clouds will move into the area tomorrow ahead of the first in a series of Pacific storm systems to affect our area. We may see a few showers by afternoon, but the real action looks like it will come Sunday, with heavy snowfall, and strong SW winds. Up to a foot to a foot of snow seems likely by Monday.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')
National Weather Service point forecast.
Another beautiful day on tap! Webcam photo courtesy of Kevin Dressel.
General Announcements
Your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche observations HERE. You can also call me at 801-647-8896, or send me an email: eric@utahavalanchecenter.org.
Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at REI, Backcountry.com, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay by clicking on these links, they donate a portion of your purchase to the UAC. If you sell on eBay, you can have your See our Affiliate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop
This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.