Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Monday morning, January 6, 2020
No change in avalanche conditions and the danger remains squarely MODERATE. Human triggered avalanches remain possible on steep, wind drifted slopes primarily at upper elevations. A triggered wind slab also has the potential to step down into a buried, persistent weak layer causing a deeper and more dangerous avalanche. You are most likely to encounter a persistent weak layer on steep, shady, northerly facing slopes. Most low elevation and south-facing terrain have LOW danger.
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Considerable
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Special Announcements
Grooming: The Hart's Draw road has been recently groomed to 70's Flat.
Weather and Snow
The story continues to be the wind. Yesterday, SW winds averaged 20-30 mph along ridge crests with gusts into the 40's. Last night they swung around to the NW and continued to crank. This has resulted in blowing, drifting, and scouring of snow on all aspects at upper elevations. Today we'll continue to see blustery NW winds backing off slightly into the 15-25 mph range. Skies will be mostly sunny and high temps will be in the upper 20's.
A weak disturbance Tue-Wed may help move out some of the valley clouds that now extend from about Price, Utah all the way to Glenwood Springs along the I-70 corridor. Another system on a NW flow will move through on Thursday, but this will favor mountains to the north. Let's hope for a few inches. The long-range pattern suggests active weather next week.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Wind, temperature, and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')
Recent Avalanches
General Announcements
This forecast is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.