Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The danger is expected to rise to CONSIDERABLE as sensitive wind drifts develop in steep terrain over the next 48 hours. Natural avalanches will be possible with extensive wind drifting. Any avalanche may step into older weaker layers in the highest elevations resulting in a larger avalanche.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    Increasing south to southwest winds will create both sensitive and stubborn wind slabs on many steep slopes, even at the mid elevations and mid-slope. I anticipate drifts to be primarily on west to north to easterly aspects, but they may be found around the compass. Drifts are generally round and smooth and sometimes 'scalloped'. Wind drifts may break out well above you. Note that any triggered wind slab in the highest elevations may step down another 12" into older weak layering from October, creating a much larger avalanche.

    As the southwest winds start to howl, natural avalanches may be possible.

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    Thanks in large part to Doug Wewer and Derek DeBruin, we know that some old weak faceted snow exists in the higher sheltered elevations above roughly 8000' (conservative estimate). With enough wind drifting, these old layers may become reactive as weak layers for avalanching. Cracking and collapsing are signs of instability but may not always be present. The good news is that you can pull out your shovel to see if these weak sugary faceted grains exist in the terrain you're in. At this point, if the facets are present, it'll be key to stick to low angle slopes with nothing steep above.

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

Instagram

Facebook

Get Forecast Email

Previous Forecasts

Contact via email

Submit Observation

Special Announcement

This week is the third annual Avalanche Awareness Week in Utah. A lot is going on with over 20 different events around the state. You can find all the events HERE.

Batteries for Beacons runs through Dec 19. Get free batteries for your transceiver and a chance to win 1 of 10 Black Diamond Rescue Kits, 1 of 3 Mammut Barryvox transceivers, or 1 of 3 BCA Tracker transceivers. Stop at a participating shop, fill out our survey and get a free set of batteries. Don't need batteries, but still want a chance to win? Simply fill out the survey to be registered.

Snow and Weather

Skies are partly cloudy. Mountain temperatures are in the mid to low 20s. Winds increased out of the southwest overnight and are blowing 30-40mph with gusts to 55. The most exposed anemometers have hourly averages of 50-60mph with gusts to near 70.

For today, we'll have partly cloudy skies, temperatures warming into the low 30s and southwest winds blowing 35-45mph. By tomorrow afternoon into early Tuesday, the winds at the mid and upper elevations will be howling 50-60mph ahead of a wet, warm, and windy storm for later Tuesday into Wednesday. 12-18" of snow is expected. Another weaker storm follows for Thursday.

Coverage and riding conditions are vastly improved now, with upper elevation snowpack depths of 1-3'.

Ben Lomond coverage and wind effect (Dubovik)

Regions covered