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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Sunday morning, February 12, 2023
The avalanche danger is generally LOW. Small avalanches remain possible in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
Unstable hard slabs of wind drifted snow may still exist on isolated terrain features.
Hard snow conditions exist and "slides for life" are possible. Use extra caution in areas of consequential terrain.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Have you been hearing how cell phones and such can interfere with your avalanche beacon? The "20/50 Rule" is that you want your beacon 20cm (8") away from other electronics while transmitting and 50cm (20") away from electronics while searching. Get the full scoop here.
Geyser Pass Road: The road is plowed and widened with a snow packed surface.
Grooming: Trails were last groomed on Monday.
Weather and Snow
6:00 a.m. Snow and Weather Data
24 Hour Snow 0" 72 Hour Snow 0" Season Total Snow 186" Base Depth at Gold Basin 68"
Winds on Pre Laurel Peak SSE 10-20 Temp 24F
Weather
Sustained SE ridge top winds blew in the 20-25 mph range with gusts into the 30's most of the day yesterday and through the night. They've backed off a bit this morning. Today should see mostly clear skies, light SW winds, and high temps in the low 30's. Clouds build this evening as a low pressure system currently spinning over Southern California moves into Arizona. By Monday, the storm tracks NE over the 4 Corners bringing cloudy skies and a chance for a few inches of snow to the La Sal Mountains. A more potent system is shaping up for late Tue-Wed. 6"-10" seem likely.
General Conditions
A full range of snow surfaces from sun and wind crusted, to hard wind board and textured sastrugi make up the landscape while soft snow is in increasingly short supply. Sheltered, northerly facing trees are your best bet for finding decent snow. Hard slabs that formed mid-week are now mostly stuck in place but you may still be able to trigger one somewhere in wind affected terrain. Isolated, or "pockety" in nature, hard slabs of wind drifted snow are most easily detected by their hollow sound or feel. Mostly shallow, they won't likely bury you but they could sweep you off your feet or carry you over a cliff.
Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin Storm Stake (10,000')
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
SNOTEL site near Geyser Pass Winter Trailhead (9600')
Wind Station on Pre-Laurel Peak (11,400')
NWS forecast for the La Sal Mountains.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the backcountry. See the La Sal Avalanche database here.
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Additional Information
With generally stable snow conditions now, and a likely rise in danger next week, take the time to refresh what each level of the North American Public Avalanche Danger Scale means.
General Announcements
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. This forecast will be updated by 7:30 tomorrow morning.
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