Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Dec 2, 2024valid to Dec 3, 2024Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on mid and upper-elevation slopes facing northwest through east. In this terrain, human-triggered avalanches failing on a Persistent Weak Layer 1-2 feet deep and up to 100 feet wide are possible. The most suspect slopes will be ones loaded by the wind. The best and safest riding conditions will be in wind and sun-sheltered terrain under 30 degrees in slope steepness. Here, you will avoid the avalanche danger by being on a slope less than 30°. And, just as important, you will find soft snow and can avoid hitting rocks while you turn.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
On mid and upper-elevation slopes facing northwest through east, you'll find a poor snowpack structure where stronger snow (slab) is over weaker (faceted) snow. Here, it remains possible for a human to trigger a slab avalanche that fails 1-2 feet deep and up to 100 feet wide. As our snowpack continues to get weaker and weaker (more faceted), we will see classic signs like cracking and collapsing disappear. This problem will likely become dormant in a few days as the weak layer adjusts to the storm snow. Until then, I will continue practicing some patients.

Photo: M. Talty showing us the poor structure in the Ogden Mountains on a north facing slope at 8,000'.

Special Announcement

The 17th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop (USAW) is scheduled for Saturday, December 7th. Information and tickets are available here .

Recent Activity

This season, no avalanches have been reported to the UAC in the Ogden Area Mountains. Check out all of Ogden's recent Observations HERE.

Snow and Weather

Under clear skies, the temperature inversion is strong, with Ben Lomond Trail (6,000') at 22°F and Ben Lomond Peak (7,700') at 39°F. The wind has veered from the northwest to the northeast and now blows 5-15 mph with gusts into the low 20s across the Ogden Skyline.

Today, we expect clear and sunny weather, with temperatures rising into the mid-40s at about 8,000'. The wind will continue to blow from the northeast at speeds of 5-15 mph.

It's been five nights of clear skies and cold temperatures. The Diurnal cycle (day to night) is taking its toll on our snow surface. Temperature changes and the energy balance of incoming shortwave radiation and longwave outward radiation are causing our adolescent snowpack to deteriorate, becoming weaker and weaker and more faceted every day. The good news is that the riding and turning conditions are pretty good. The bad news is that we are developing a nasty weak layer that will haunt us in the future.

I looked for a storm in fairy tale land (six days out on the GFS) and saw one around Sunday, December 8th. Until then, like a ship stuck at sea with no wind, we are in the doldrums of high pressure.

General Announcements

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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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