Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Abajos Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, December 20, 2020
Unstable wind drifts and stiff slabs still exist on mid and upper elevation slopes facing N-E-SE and an isolated, or MODERATE danger exists in these areas. On N-E aspects the underlying snow has deteriorated into layers of weak, sugary, faceted snow and signs of instability such as collapsing and whumphing are being observed. Suspect slopes that have smooth, rounded deposits of wind drifted snow and pay attention to signs of instability such as cracking and collapsing.
Low snow cover is the biggest hazard out there right now with rocks and logs lurking just below the surface, and even a small avalanche triggered under these conditions can have serious and painful consequences.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow
Mountain Weather
Overnight, northwesterly winds continued to blow in the 15-25 mph range along ridgetops. Skies are clear and 10,000' temps are in the low teens. Today, look for sunny skies, light northerly winds, and high temps in the upper 20's. A weak system may drop far enough south on Tuesday to give us a chance of snow before the building of a ridge. On Thursday, a low-pressure system looks to be taking a dive well south of us. By Friday, the flow flattens and turns zonal. The next promise of hope comes as we close out the month and year around the 29th.
Snowpack Discussion
My partner and I went up to North Creek Pass on Saturday. Coverage is exceedingly thin and many sun-exposed slopes are dry. On shady aspects, depths range from 6"-18". The existing snow structure is very poor. In exposed areas, stiff slabs overly this weak, sugary snow, and we experienced frequent cracking and collapsing of the snowpack. These are clear red flag signs of instability, but the reality is that there is so little snow, you would really have to be in the right spot to find enough for an avalanche. Steep, drifted, gully walls come to mind, or any shady slope with continuous coverage, where more than about a foot of snow exists. Our real concerns are for the future - if and when more snow finally comes, it will be falling on a precarious and unstable base.
On Wednesday, observer, and pilot Chris Benson took these aerial photographs of the range.
Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')
Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
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.
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >