AVALANCHE WARNING!! Tap for info
UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Thursday morning, March 7, 2019
Expect an increasing avalanche danger over the next few days! The avalanche danger is generally MODERATE this morning but could rise to CONSIDERABLE later today as new snow and wind create fresh drifts along upper elevation ridge crests and terrain features, primarily on slopes that face NW-N-SE. New wind drifts will cover old, and avalanches up to 3' deep will be possible on steep, wind loaded terrain. There also remains an isolated or MODERATE danger for triggering a deep and dangerous avalanche on a buried, persistent weak layer. You are most likely to encounter this problem on steep, rocky, northerly facing slopes, or in areas with a shallower snowpack.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
It is with great sadness that I report the death of an old friend. On Sunday, March 3, Scott Spencer was caught, buried, and killed in an avalanche near Lizard Head Pass, about 12 miles south of Telluride, Colorado. It has been a deadly season in Utah and Colorado this year, and this one has really hit home. My deepest condolences go out to his wife Sara, sons Jack and Peter, and the rest of his family and wide circle of friends who have been affected. Here is the preliminary report.
Weather and Snow
The mountains are socked in but snow has yet to materialize from the current storm system. SW winds have been remarkably well behaved averaging 15-20 mph with gusts to 30 most of the day yesterday before backing off around 10:00 p.m. They are currently averaging only 5-10 mph with gusts near 20. We should see 2"-4" of snow today with another 2"-4" tonight. SW winds will increase into the 20-30 mph range. We'll see another round of snow on a Friday with increasing SW winds. It looks like about 4"-8" are possible by Saturday morning.
Webcam image courtesy of Kevin Dressel.
Snotel totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snotel totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')
National Weather Service point forecast.
Additional Information
Carry appropriate rescue gear: beacon, probe, shovel, and choose where you ride based on the avalanche forecast for the day!
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.
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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.