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Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago.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 hazard is MODERATE at the mid and upper elevations for fresh wind drifts. Although any drifts you encounter are likely to be found on aspects facing north through southeast, cross-loading may create drifts on any aspect. Avoid wind-drifted terrain and you avoid the problem.

Watch for wet loose activity today on steep southerly aspects as well as the lower elevations.

Avalanche problems

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    2

    West/southwest winds will continue to drift snow at the mid and upper elevations. Although most drifts will be found on leeward aspects facing north through southeast, cross-loading and the winds being channeled through terrain mean drifts may be possible on any aspect at the mid and upper elevations. These drifts will generally be 6-18" thick, and may break out widely in open, exposed terrain, possibly breaking above you.

    Although this observation is from the Salt Lake mountains, it is relevant for Ogden as well. To read more about the complexity of wind-loading patterns, Drew has an excellent observation from Broads Fork on Monday (link). In particular, note how upper elevation west aspects are wind-scoured, yet those same aspects at the mid elevations are wind-loaded. [photo: Hardesty]

    Cornices are quite large, and continue to grow during this windy period. Avoid traveling underneath cornices, as well as anywhere near the edge of ridges as cornices may break back much further than expected. Reports of cornices breaking off naturally further highlight this issue.

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Recent Activity

An experienced rider intentionally triggered a wind slab on an east aspect on North Ogden Divide on Monday, briefly taking a ride before exiting the slide. You can read more about this occurrence on this link. [Photo: ogdenavalanche.org]

We also received an excellent observation from Cutler Ridge by Derek DeBruin (link). I especially appreciate the comment "The avalanches from yesterday (Sunday) left us suspicious and conservative in our route selection" as recent avalanches are the reddest of the red flags!

Mitigation work at Ogden-area resorts was limited as it was difficult to get into upper elevation terrain, but reports of small naturals from cornice falls were reported.

Snow and Weather

Currently: Temperatures in the Ogden mountains range through the 20's and low 30's F, with a few outlying low elevation stations in the upper 30's F. Westerly winds continue to highlight the weather, with averages in the 20's and 30's mph at the mid and upper elevations, with gusts in the 40's and 50's at the upper elevations. 1-3" of new snow has fallen in the past 24 hours, but with the strong winds most of this new snow ended up quickly getting transported into fresh wind-drifts. Many exposed aspects facing southwest at the upper elevations have been scoured from the sustained southwesterly winds.

For Today: Snow showers are possible today, and we'll be lucky to pick up 1-3” of new snow. Skies will be partly to mostly cloudy and temperatures warming into the mid and upper 30’s F. Winds will continue to blow out of the west, averaging in the 20's and 30's mph at the mid and upper elevations, with stronger gusts. At the upper elevations gusts will exceed 50 mph.

For this Coming Week: A mild westerly flow with warm temperatures and windy conditions. We may pick up a trace to 1" of new snow every occasional 12-hour period - perhaps up to 2" on Wednesday. A hint of a promising colder storm late Thursday/Friday, but waiting for weather models to come into agreement before we get any confidence in that system.

Additional Info

Many low elevations are starting out above freezing this morning, and will warm into the low 40’s F during the day. Winds and cloud cover will help keep the snow surface cool, so I am not expecting much wet loose activity today, but watch for signs of the snow warming at the low elevations as well as steep southerly aspects including rollerballs and wet/loose sluffing, especially if the winds diminish or the sun comes out for longer durations.

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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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