Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Feb 24, 2023valid to Feb 25, 2023Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 4 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE at the mid and upper elevations and MODERATE at the low elevations on wind-loaded slopes where triggering avalanches up to 2' deep is likely.

Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding, and conservative decision-making are essential when traveling in avalanche terrain today.

Shallow, wet-loose avalanches are likely on southerly aspects if strong sunshine appears.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
2
Northwest and southwest winds Wednesday and Thursday have created sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow at all elevations. You can still expect to find these sensitive wind drifts on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations as well as exposed low-elevation terrain. Although not confirmed, Thursday's Chilly Slabs avalanche was on a likely wind-loaded slope.

Watch for cracking as evidence of wind-drifting, as shown in the photo below:
Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Possible
Size
2
Although I'm expecting recent storm snow instabilities to have mostly settled out, there may still be isolated areas where you can find a soft slab of storm snow that is reactive to a rider. Shallow, long-running sluffs in the low-density snowfall from overnight are also likely.

IF strong sunshine appears this afternoon, shallow, wet-loose avalanches are likely on steep southerly-facing aspects.

Recent Activity

A skier-triggered avalanche was reported in the Nordic Valley backcountry on Thursday. The slide occurred on a northeast aspect at 6,600' and was 18" deep and 200' wide. Nordic Valley ski patrol reported this as the largest and deepest avalanche recorded in the Pine Creek area. Photos below.

A skier-triggered avalanche on Chilly Peak Slabs from Thursday was also reported. The avalanche was at about 7,000' on an easterly aspect. Photo from Bill Brandt:

Snow and Weather

Temperatures this morning are in the mid teens and winds are from the south/southwest and moderate, gusting into the upper 20's mph along exposed mid and upper-elevation summits and ridgelines. Snowfall totals overnight are 2-4" of low-density fluff.

For today, temperatures will rise into the low to mid 20's F. Winds will be from the southwest, gusting into the upper 20's mph at mid and upper elevations. We should pick up another few inches of snow this morning with clearing skies this afternoon.

In the extended forecast, Saturday will be sunny with warmer temperatures. Snowfall begins on Sunday with active weather expected for most of the upcoming week.

Storm totals since Tuesday are 39" snow containing 3" of water.

Adjectives do not capture just how good the riding conditions are.

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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