Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Mar 24, 2021valid to Mar 25, 2021Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 5 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger this morning is MODERATE at upper elevations as a result of increased northeast winds drifting snow. The danger at mid and lower elevations is LOW; however, look for isolated places at these elevations that can have fresh slabs of wind drifted snow as well. The snow on southerly facing slopes shouldn't heat up too much today to cause many wet avalanches, but pay attention to changing conditions and be prepared to alter your plans if you see the snow heating up and becoming wet.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Northeast winds increased overnight and formed fresh slabs of wind drifted snow which can be triggered today. Easterly winds are always a red flag because they transport snow in weird patterns, drifting snow in some places while not in others.

This problem will mostly be a concern at upper elevations with the highest wind speeds, but watch for it at lower elevations where easterly winds were funneled. Many canyons in Weber and Davis counties had east wind reaching 50 mph. There are many other smaller gaps in the mountains where these winds may have blown stronger.
Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
1
With new snow and strong sunshine today, there could be some wet avalanches of loose snow. Cool air temperatures, some wind, and late afternoon clouds should prevent the snow from heating up too much. However, look for signs that the snow on southerly aspects is warming and getting wet. Seeing pinwheels and balls of snow rolling downhill with increasing frequency is a clue that wet loose avalanches may happen. Exposed rocks heat up very quickly and are often places where wet avalanches will happen first.

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Recent Activity

There were a few small, soft slabs of wind drifted snow that produced avalanches yesterday from northwest winds.

Snow and Weather

Overnight, easterly winds increased and are quite gusty this morning. Easterly winds are funny and seem to blow strong in some places while not in others depending on where they are funneled. At most ridgelines, these winds blew 15 mph gusting 25 mph from the northeast but seemed to have eased some already. Temperatures this morning are mostly in the teens and low 20s F. Yesterday afternoon about 2 inches of snow fell.

Today winds should ease some and shift to the north and then to the west by later this afternoon blowing about 5-15 mph. Skies will be clear this morning with some high clouds arriving this afternoon. Air temperatures should climb into the mid and upper 30s F. At 9000 ft ridgelines, temperatures may only reach the mid 20s F today.

Snow conditions are generally quite good following snowfall this weekend. Periods of sunshine have affected more southerly facing slopes, but the snow on northerly facing slopes at mid to upper elevations that don't receive direct sunshine should have dry powder. The main issue on snow quality is the effect of the easterly winds overnight.

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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.

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