Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Utah Avalanche Center
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Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all upper elevation slopes where the main avalanche problem is fresh slabs of wind drifted snow. Following yesterday's increased southwest winds, look for and avoid pillowy, rounded snow.

Below 8,500' in elevation, avalanche conditions are generally safe and the avalanche danger is LOW.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Following the new snow from the weekend, Ogden has gotten winds gusting up to 45 mph. All of the reported avalanches have occurred within the new snow. A recent observation from Ben Lomond noticed snow being transported at ridgelines. The observer was able to identify multiple layers within the new snow but did not get test results with propagation. Most of these soft slabs have likely stabilized.

    Remaining instabilities should be confined to slabs of wind drifted snow. As the winds shift directions again, watch fresh wind slabs and avoid them.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Unlikely
    Size
    3

    This weekend's storm added significant stress to the snow, but no avalanches were observed breaking in the persistent weak layer near the ground. This layer does still exist at upper elevations on northerly facing slopes.

    It appears that his layer is gaining strength as Drew, Eric and Doug Wewer found on Ben Lomond on Monday. The photo below that Doug took of this weak layer shows some straight edges on the snow crystals (bad) but many rounded edges (good). As we get more info on this layer and signs that it is healing, we may be able to rule it out in the near future. For now, we don't expect avalanches on it, but we have to mention it.

Special Announcement

Final report for the Dutch Draw avalanche fatality is available HERE.

Consider donating to the Matt Tauszik Memorial Fund to help his wife and young son.

Recent Activity

Ski areas triggered some shallow avalanches in the new snow, with 6-8" deep crowns and cornice drops.

They triggered some thicker slabs on Monday that were up to 2-3 ft deep.

No new avalanches were reported in the backcountry.

Snow and Weather

This morning temperatures are in the mid teens F at trailheads and low teens F at ridgetops. Winds are south and westerly currently blowing in the single digits to low teens mph.

Yesterday winds shifted from north to southwesterly, averaging in the teens to low 20s mph, and gusting up to 45 mph near Ogden Peak (9570 ft).

Today, temperatures should remain in the mid teens F to the mid 20s F. Skies will become sunny this afternoon as a ridge of high pressure builds over the area. Winds will shift from south and westerly to northwest, and could gust up to 30 mph at ridgelines near 11,000 ft.

Over the last few days, the snow got damp on some south-facing slopes and even produced rollerballs and a few small loose wet sluffs. On south-facing aspects expect a solar crust in the morning and a damp surface in the afternoon.

General Announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. 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.

Ogden Observations and Avalanches

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