Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Abajo Area Mountains Issued by Eric Trenbeath for Sunday - January 21, 2018 - 7:30am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE today. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist and human triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes that face NW-N-E. Natural avalanches are possible. The new snow load has added stress to the fragile underlying snowpack, and increasing winds today will form dangerous drifts in exposed terrain. Backcountry travelers should stay off of and out from under steep slopes today.​
special announcement

We've scheduled our annual Backcountry 101 avalanche course for Feb 2,3. For more information or to register go here.

We've also scheduled a Motorized Backcountry 101 for snowmobiles and snowbikes. For more information or to register go here.
current conditions

Finally some significant snow! Buckboard Flat is reporting 10" of new bringing the base up to 16". Winds on Abajo peak are light from the WNW and temps are in the low teens at 9000'. Coverage remains very thin, but this looks like it could finally be the beginning of winter!

Wind, temperature and humidity on Abajo Peak (11,000')

Snow totals at Buckboard Flat (8924')

Snow totals at Camp Jackson (8858')
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

The existing snowpack is very shallow and weak, and the new snow load has created dangerous persistent slab conditions on steep, upper elevation slopes that face NW-N-E. Backountry travelers should avoid this kind of terrain. Telltale signs of instability include whoomphing sounds and collapsing of the snowpack.

Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Increasing winds today will move blow the loose snow around forming dangerous drifts on the lee sides of upper elevation ridge crests and terrain features. Look for signs of instability such as cracking in the snow surface, and avoid smooth rounded deposits of wind drifted snow.

weather
general announcements

Support the UAC through your daily shopping. When you shop at Smith's, or online at REI, Backcountry.com, Patagonia, NRS, Amazon, eBay a portion of your purchase will be donated to the FUAC. See our Donate Page for more details on how you can support the UAC when you shop.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on eBay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your eBay account here and click on eBay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.