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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Wednesday morning, April 9, 2025
Most terrain has generally LOW danger. Small avalanches on isolated terrain features are possible. Even a small avalanche can have serious consequences in extreme terrain.
As the day heats up we may see some small loose wet avalanches on sun exposed slopes. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.
Our long standing persistent weak layer problem is generally non-reactive and people are skiing all kinds of terrain without incident. Weak faceted snow still remains on upper elevation, northerly aspects however, and cautious mountain travelers will continue to avoid likely trigger points such as shallow rocky starting zones, thin steep convexities, and areas of very radical, extreme terrain.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
Construction is back on today and the Loop Road will be closed from Pack Creek between 8:30-5:30.
Geyser Pass Road: The road is melted out to the dirt down low but becomes increasingly wet and sloppy up high. 4x4 required.
Grooming Conditions: Trails are packed into Gold Basin.
Motorized Users—Please consider taking this 5-minute survey to help researchers better understand avalanche education participation and safety preparedness. Responses are anonymous and confidential. Thank you!
Weather and Snow
6 A.M. Snow and Weather Data
24 Hour Snow: 0" 72 Hour Snow: 0" Season Total Snow: 138" Depth at Gold Basin: 48"
Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: W 10-20 Temp: 28° F
Weather
Under mostly clear skies mountain temperatures are in the upper 20's to low 30's. Westerly winds are light to moderate. Temperatures will soar into the low 50's today and we should see an uptick in westerly winds this afternoon. The warming trend continues through the week with near record temperatures by Friday. Things start to cool down on Sunday
General Conditions
Mixed bag spring conditions are in effect but with another refreeze last night you should be able to find some supportable, corn-like snow out there this morning on solar aspects. Dry snow is becoming an increasingly rare commodity except for on the highest north faces. Jake Etter was up yesterday and he observed damp snow conditions on northerly aspects at mid elevations. People have been skiing all kinds of terrain without incident and conditions are generally stable. As the day heats up however, you will again need to be alert to the potential for loose wet avalanches on sun exposed slopes.
You can find some south facing slopes with enough snow for decent corn skiing, but some are very thin. Jake Etter photo.
Chris Benson shot this great footage from the air on Sunday. It's a great perspective on overall conditions.
Snowpack and Weather Data
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 have been reported since last Thursday night's round of natural wind slab activity.
See the complete avalanche database here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
This is not a specific avalanche problem. It is used by forecasters most often when avalanche conditions are generally safe and there is no predominate avalanche problem. Do not approach Normal Caution as an “anything goes” situation, small avalanches on isolated terrain features remain possible. Continue to keep your guard up and look for any signs of snow instability. Evaluate snow and weather conditions as you travel.
Loose Wet Avalanches: As the days heat up there is always the possibility for loose wet avalanches on sun exposed slopes. The danger follows the sun with east aspects getting wet first followed by south and then west. Low elevation, northerly aspects can also get in on the action. Signs of instability include rollerballs, pinwheels, and sloppy wet snow. Stay off of and out from under steep slopes when these signs are present.
Wind Drifted Snow: The La Sals are a high, windy, and exposed mountain range. Slabs of wind drifted snow can often be found scattered through the high country for days after a storm or wind event. Always suspect "fat" areas, or smooth, rounded pillows of wind drifted snow. Especially if they sound or feel hollow underneath. Even a small wind slab releases could have dire consequences in areas of extreme terrain.
Persistent Weak Layer: Layers of weak faceted snow still remain on northerly aspects but a strong, hard slab exists over top and triggering an avalanche down to these weak layers has become very unlikely. Nevertheless, whenever I travel in the mountains, I keep my avalanche glasses on. Travel with awareness and avoid thin rocky areas and obvious trigger points such as steep convexities and blind break-overs where it may still be possible to trigger a deeper avalanche.
Additional Information
Check out the latest UAC podcast with forecaster Brett "Kowboy" Kobernick where he discusses faceted persistent weak layers and how "nobody is immune from getting killed in an avalanche."
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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.
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