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Forecast for the Moab Area Mountains

Eric Trenbeath
Issued by Eric Trenbeath on
Monday morning, April 7, 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 appears to no longer be reactive and people are skiing all kinds of terrain without incident. Cautious mountain travelers will nevertheless 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 has not been plowed and it's a bit sporty, especially on the upper half with ruts up to a foot deep. 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: 51"
Winds on Pre-Laurel Peak: NE 10-15 Temp: 20° F
Weather
High pressure sets in over the region today with a warming trend in store for the upcoming week. Look for sunny skies, light to moderate northeast winds, and high temperatures in the mid 40's. Temperatures tonight drop into the upper 20's. High temperatures tomorrow will be in the upper 40's.
General Conditions
People took full advantage of the glorious conditions over the weekend and aerial observer Chris Benson spied tracks on several big lines during a flyover yesterday. Local skier Mark Sevenoff got up on Mount Tukuhinikivatz and he reported boot top powder conditions on the classic NE face. Some north aspects have mildly wind affected surfaces while sunshine and warm temperatures cooked the snow on all sun exposed slopes. These will be thoroughly crusted over this morning. It does look like we have a good melt/freeze cycle ahead and we should get some corn-like conditions in a few days. The only problem there is that south aspects are quite thin and some were bare before last week's storm cycle so you'll have to be creative to find a good line.
Check out this awesome video from Chris Benson for an aerial view of conditions.
Snowpack and Weather Data
Gold Basin SNOTEL site (10,000')
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches have been reported since last Thursday night's round of natural wind slab activity.
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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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