Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Dec 24, 2019valid to Dec 25, 2019Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 7 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

A MODERATE hazard exists at the upper elevations, and mid-elevation aspects facing northwest through east, where strong and gusty winds from the south have created pockets of hard wind drifts. These hard wind slabs may allow you to get well onto a slope before they avalanche, breaking well above you.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Several days of sustained southerly winds have created pockets of dense wind slabs at the mid and upper elevations. Although this wind-deposited snow can mostly be found on leeward aspects facing northwest through east, strong and gusty winds can deposit snow on any aspect, especially at the upper elevations. Continued gusty winds today will have fresh snowfall to work with, creating new pockets of wind slabs.

In my Monday field work on Ben Lomond (observation), I was finding the wind slabs to be unresponsive to stability tests, but some of these hard slabs were sitting on top of weaker faceted snow that formed on the snow surface late last week, creating a situation which may allow someone to get well onto a wind-loaded slope before it avalanches.

Danger Trend: Steady to Increasing

Special Announcement

Stocking Stuffers: Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, we have discount lift tickets available. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets here.

Recent Activity

No avalanches were reported from the Ogden backcountry on Monday. On Sunday, a skier triggered a hard wind slab that broke around them and they were caught and carried. The slide was 1-3' feet deep and 175' feet wide. They deployed their airbag and were buried up to their armpit in debris. No injuries. The slope angle was measured at 31° degrees in steepness.

We have received several excellent observations from the Ogden backcountry over this past week. You can see all Ogden-area observations here. Please keep sending them in!

Snow and Weather

Currently: Temperatures in the Ogden mountains range through the upper 20's F and winds are from the south and gusty. At the mid-elevations winds have been averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's and 30's mph. Along upper elevation ridgelines, winds are averaging in the 30's with gusts in the 40's and 50's mph. Overnight the mountains picked up 1-3" of new snow.

For today, you can expect periods of snow showers with another 1-3" expected during the day. Winds will be from the south and remain gusty, averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's at mid elevations, and in the 20's with gusts in the 30's and 40's mph along upper elevation ridgelines.

A more-promising storm beginning overnight, with upwards of 6" of fresh snowfall by Wednesday morning.

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.

Observations and Avalanches

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