Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Dec 11, 2024valid to Dec 12, 2024Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is LOW and normal caution is advised. Watch for the development of shallow, new soft slabs of wind drifted snow along the higher ridgelines by the afternoon. These may crack out on you, but shouldn't pose too much of an issue except in steep rocky terrain. Isolated loose snow sluffs may also be expected in very steep northerly terrain.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
2
Nearly all the white snow you see in the mountains is either hard, slick melt freeze crusts, or a horror show of weak faceted sugary snow. This sugary snow will continue to lose strength and even start to produce point release sluffs in the steepest, coldest, shady terrain. The current structure does not bode well when we see significant storms this winter. See Dr Smith's video of the snowpack conditions below.

Special Announcement

NEW Blog! Six Tips That Could Save Your Life

Recent Activity

No new avalanche activity was reported from the Ogden area mountains.

Check out all recent observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

Weak ridging overhead will keep us under mostly clear skies for the day. Temperatures have rebounded from yesterday's overnight lows and are in the upper teens to low 20s. Winds are generally light from the west.

For today, we'll see increasing westerly winds and mountain temperatures rising into the upper 30s. We do have a storm on tap for tomorrow night into Friday, although I don't expect much to show from it other than increasing southwest winds and a good drop in temperatures. Another storm follows for late weekend and another perhaps on Tuesday.

Travel is difficult ("character building") with the thin snowpack (1-2 feet of coverage) and hitting obstacles is your primary concern. That said, soft turns can be found in wind and sun sheltered terrain. Brian Smith was up along the North Ogden divide and his report can be found HERE>

Brian Smith photo

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures