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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Saturday morning, April 6, 2019
The avalanche danger is generally LOW but normal caution and an awareness of avalanche danger should be maintained. If you are venturing into steep, high elevation, north facing terrain it is still possible to trigger loose snow sluffs that could knock you off your feet and carry you over a cliff. Also be on the lookout for isolated areas of wind drifted snow.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
Skies are cloudy, westerly winds are averaging 10-15 mph along ridge tops, and 10,000' temps are in the high 20's. A weakening storm system is moving through the area. Today we'll see cloudy skies and maybe a trace of snow. WSW winds will continue in the light to moderate range, and high temps will be in the mid 30's. Tomorrow will be sunny and warm. Next chance for precip looks like mid-week.
It's been quite a week for spring skiing and riding in the La Sals. Last Sunday's 8"-10" made for excellent dry snow conditions on upper elevation northerly aspects. Folks have been taking advantage of the mostly stable conditions, and tracks are appearing in places not visited all winter. On Thursday, Mark Sevenoff and I climbed a high peak and made a steep north facing descent. We found mostly stable snow, but we were able to get some loose snow sluffs moving as the slope steepened beyond 40 degrees. We also noted a few isolated wind drifts. Periods of strong sunshine during the week have crusted over most surfaces, and you'll have to go high to find dry snow now.
Note the rollerballs off of the ski tracks. By noon, things were definitely moistening up.
New snow totals in Gold Basin (10,000')
Snotel totals at the Geyser Pass Trailhead (9600')
Winds at 11,000 feet on Abajo Peak (11,330') about 45 miles south.
National Weather Service point forecast.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Low danger doesn't mean no danger, especially if you are beginning to set your sites on some of the bigger lines, and more extreme terrain that the La Sals have to offer. Continue to be on the lookout for isolated wind rolls on the leeward sides of high elevation ridge crests and terrain features. Loose snow sluffing on very steep, north facing slopes is also still a possibility. Though mostly shallow, and not very wide, a loose sluff could carry you over a cliff and ruin your day if not your life. Practice safe travel techniques, and carefully evaluate the snow before committing to extreme terrain.
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 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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