Moab Photography Conditions - January 6, 2019

Fresh Snow at Sand Dune Arch, Arches National Park

Old Man Winter strikes Moab again! Yesterday the weather forecast called for a 30% chance of snow which of course ended up being 3” of snow in town, likely more in the parks. Unfortunately, both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are closed to all vehicle traffic so bring warm clothing and a desire to posthole or snowshoe for several miles to access any of the winter wonderlands inside either park. No dout, you will be rewarded with solitude and so much beauty it almost hurts. Or maybe that’s your frozen fingers?

Dead Horse Point State Park should be open but call first to verify that the roads are plowed. Other areas in BLM control are open but again, the road maintenance workers have their hands full so it’s hard to say when the lesser traveled roads will be relatively safe to travel. Big thank you to all the men & women running plows today!

Forecast for the rest of the week is looking pretty darn spiffy. Mostly sunny or partly cloudy with high temperatures in the 30’s. This snow isn’t going anywhere for a few days and I suspect even next weekend will provide opportunities for winter photography.

Headed this way to take advantage of the snowy conditions? Be sure to check out The Photographers’s Guide to Winter in Moab on my blog. Totally free resource with lots of great information on how, when and where to shoot wintery scenes around Moab.

moab photography conditions-December 31, 2018

UPDATE 10:40 AM: The snow is still coming down and we have about 2” accumulation in town, likely a little more in Arches and Canyonlands. I have been told that the roads in both parks will not be plowed as a result of the shutdown, so travel at your own risk. There is some fog in the area that will make for interesting, moody images.

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Looks like on the last day of 2018 the weather Gods have decided to gift photographers with a blanket of snow here in Canyon Country. The white stuff started falling around 6:00 AM and it is predicted to continue snowing through noon today. This typically results in outstanding winter photography for a day or two, petering off to good winter photography as the snow melts and is tracked over by humans and wildlife.

The big variable right now is the federal government shut down. I don’t know when the roads in Arches and Canyonlands National Parks Will be plowed, if at all. This could make for very difficult or even dangerous access at the parks. I will update this post if I learn more. However, Dead Horse Point State Park and all of the surrounding 2,000,000 acres of BLM land are still open. The same considerations should be given to travel in these areas.

Not sure where to photograph in Arches? Pick up a copy of eFotoGuide: The Ultimate Guide to Photographing Arches NP for only $15 and you’ll discover all the details on where, when and how to photograph over 20 stunning locations in the park. Your purchase helps me to maintain this website and continue to provide real-time photo conditions.

Now get out there and create some beautiful winter photos in the Moab desert!

Moab Photography Conditions - December 15, 2015

Winter has finally arrived in Moab!  Three to four inches of snow fell overnight in town and reports from Dead Horse Point State Park as well as Canyonlands - Island in the Sky District indicate over 7" on the ground...and it's still snowing lightly at 0900. 

The Island in the Sky Scenic Drive is currently closed due to the snow so if you're interested in visiting the park you'll have to hike/snowshoe until the road has been cleared. 

I don't have any reports from Arches National Park or Dead Horse Point with regard to the road conditions.  In my experience, the snow is cleared from the roads in Arches first and I-Sky second.  Dead Horse Point SP is usually on-point when it comes to clearing their roads and I would expect them to be open very soon, if they aren't already.

With high temperatures over the next couple days hovering at around 30 degrees it's likely this snow will be in good condition for photography through at least Thursday.  Once it starts to melt off and become patchy it isn't as attractive in photographs.  However, the melting snow can create interesting opportunities for waterfalls where there usually are none.

Camera batteries don't last long in the cold so be sure to keep a couple extras in a jacket pocket where your body heat will keep them warm and ready for use.  Know that moving in and out of your vehicle with your gear will result in lenses fogging over and in the winter it takes quite a while for them to de-fog.  Remember that the light meter in your camera will underexpose because of all the white snow so be sure to dial in a little exposure compensation.  I usually start at around +1 stop and make adjustments as needed.

Now, throw on a down coat, some warm gloves and boots and hit the high desert for some exceptional landscape photography!