Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Mar 10, 2026valid to Mar 11, 2026Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

After several days of elevated westerly winds, avalanche danger is MODERATE across all upper elevations and on mid-elevation slopes facing northwest through east. Watch for sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow 6 to 12 inches deep.

This morning, the remaining aspects and elevations have LOW danger. Elevated winds should keep the snow surface cool, but if the sun comes out, avalanche danger could rise to MODERATE, with the potential for wet-snow avalanches on east, south, and west aspects, as well as low-elevation northerly slopes.

Avalanche problems

Loose Wet
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
2
Although temperatures will be warm, the increased cloud cover and westerly winds should keep the snow surface cool today and limit avalanche activity involving wet-loose snow on solar and southerly aspects. If the sun does come out for a prolonged period, avalanche danger could rise to MODERATE on solar aspects and lower-elevation north-facing terrain.

Pay attention to changing conditions. Watch for wet rollerballs and soggy snow as signs that the snow surface is taking on heat, and switch to a different aspect.
Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Winds from the west increased overnight and will remain elevated throughout the day, creating pockets of wind-drifted snow at upper elevations, including some exposed mid-elevation slopes. While these slabs are most prominent on leeward slopes, strong winds can load any aspect due to cross-loading from swirling and shifting wind directions.

The prolonged elevated winds will continue to form both soft and some hard slabs of wind-drifted snow. These fresh wind drifts may be sensitive and 6 to 12 inches deep, possibly deeper in upper-elevation alpine terrain. Where the snow is becoming more supportable, the slabs may allow travel further onto the slope before signs of cracking or instability appear.
Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
2
The Dry January Layer (DJL) of faceted snow is 1-3 feet deep and buried by a strong slab and supportable crusts, with the last reported avalanche failing on the DJL on February 22 on Thurston Peak. Triggering an avalanche failing on the DJL is unlikely and this problem is moving toward dormancy.

The suspect terrain where you can still trigger a deep, hard slab avalanche failing on the DJL will be on a northerly aspect at the upper elevations where there is a thinner snowpack, such as a "repeater slope" that avalanched during our mid-February avalanche cycle.

Pit structure from Cutler Ridge - Berg - 3/9

Recent Activity

No new avalanches were reported from the Ogden backcountry. Ski resorts reported widespread roller balls and crusty snow.

Yesterday, along Cutler Ridge, observer Berg noted: 'Morning temperatures stayed cooler than expected, helped by moderate SW winds that turned strong at times on exposed ridgelines. Rolling clouds helped keep heating in check.'

Snow and Weather

This morning, skies are broken, and temperatures are in the upper 30s to mid 40s °F. Only a few select weather stations dropped below freezing overnight. Winds are from the west, gusting 20 to 30 mph along exposed ridgelines, with gusts near 50 mph along the highest peaks.

Today, expect partly to mostly cloudy skies with temperatures remaining in the 40s °F and a chance for a trace amount of precipitation early this afternoon. No real measurable snow is expected. Westerly winds will remain elevated throughout the day, gusting 20 to 30 mph along exposed mid and upper elevation ridges, with gusts up to 50 mph along the highest peaks.

After a brief cool down, temperatures will start warming again later this week. A weak system may brush the area this weekend, but it looks mostly dry with just a slight chance of a little snow and some increased west to northwest winds, followed by another stretch of warm, dry weather.

Although there was plenty of sun this weekend, temperatures stayed cool enough to preserve some lingering cold, dry snow on shaded northerly aspects.

General Announcements

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