Ogden
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
Today the avalanche danger is LOW and avalanche conditions are generally safe. However, riding in extreme terrain can make the consequences of even very small avalanches deadly. Low danger does not mean no danger.
Special Announcement
Discounted lift tickets - Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, all proceeds from these ticket sales go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets here.
Recent Activity
No avalanches have been reported in the Ogden area mountains. However, on old glide avalanche was found in Coldwater Canyon yesterday.
Snow and Weather
This morning, temperatures are in the upper teens and low 20s F. Westerly ridgetop winds are averaging 5-10 gusting to 20 mph. Gust on Ogden Peak have reached 30 mph. Stronger winds blew very early yesterday morning before becoming very light yesterday and then increasing a bit last night.
Today will be a beautiful one to be in the mountains. Skies will be mostly sunny and temperatures should warm into low to mid 30s F. Ridgetop winds should continue 5-10 mph gusting up to 20 mph.
Looking forward, a dry cold front will pass over the area late Friday bringing some clouds and maybe a dusting of snow. A decent storm system arrives early Sunday morning.
The snowpack generally has some very light snow on top of a variety of crusts formed by freezing rain and/or rime that occurred last Friday and last weekend.
Additional Info
LOOKING AHEAD:
In simple terms, slab avalanches require a slab of snow resting on top of a weak layer. The weak layer is currently forming near the snow surface, and the slab may come with snowfall on Sunday.
The current snow surface has been faceting and weakening during warm sunny days and cold clear nights. Despite air temperatures in the single digits F, snow surface temperatures have likely dropped well below zero degrees F during nights with clear skies. Making matters worse, this weak snow rests on top of a crust on many slopes.
Areas of the Ogden mountains suffered more greatly with the rime/freezing rain crust. Travel conditions are greatly diminished, particularly on the east side of the Ogden valley.
Photo below of light snow (that will become the weak layer) on top of a crust near Mt Nebo but similar conditions have been found throughout the Wasatch with up to 6 inches of light snow on top of crusts.
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.