Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Utah Avalanche Center
View on map

Avalanche danger

  • Alpine
  • Treeline
  • Below treeline
Open full map
Out of date — this forecast expired 2 years ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. You will likely trigger an unsurvivable avalanche 2-4 feet deep and a couple hundred feet wide in steep northwest to north to east facing terrain today. You will be able to trigger these from a distance or below. These are very dangerous conditions and we have had two avalanche fatalities since Saturday. We don't want any more tragedy.

*If you are exiting a ski area boundary, you are stepping into very dangerous terrain.

Please help us spread the word.

Avalanche problems

  • Persistent Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Likely
    Size
    3

    These are dangerous and tricky avalanche conditions. We clearly have a strong slab 2-4 feet thick overlying a persistent weak layer (PWL) of weak sugary faceted grains and there's no mystery here: avalanches, cracking and collapsing are nearly omnipresent. Don't try to outsmart this set-up or thread the needle: choose low angle terrain (less than 30°) with no adjacent or overhead hazard or terrain where the PWL does not exist.

    Remember that as these overlying slabs gain strength, they can propagate wider and pull back onto lower angle connected slopes.

  • Wind Slabs

    • Alpine
    • Treeline
    • Below treeline
    Likelihood
    Possible
    Size
    2

    You'll find lingering and newly developing soft and hard slabs of wind blown snow on many aspects and elevations today and over the next few days with sustained winds. Triggering one of these may then subsequently step down to the ground.

Special Announcement

We are deeply saddened to confirm two avalanche fatalities. The first involved a 38 year old man in Main Porter Fork of Mill Creek Canyon who went missing on Saturday. The second avalanche fatality occurred yesterday that involved a 54 year old man off Davenport Hill into Silver Fork of BCC. Both individuals were traveling alone in the backcountry. Our condolences go out to to the family and friends of the victims.

Many thanks to those who responded to these accidents: search and rescue teams from AirMed, LifeFlight, Utah Dept Public Safety, Utah Department of Transportation, Salt Lake County Search and Rescue, Wasatch Backcountry Rescue, Alta Ski Area, and members of the Utah Avalanche Center.

Main Porter Preliminary Accident Report (1st photo -SL County SAR) Accident avalanche obscured by recent snow/wind. Avalanches in photo are from explosives to protect rescuers.

Davenport Hill Preliminary Accident Report (2nd photo - Wasatch Backcountry Rescue) The victim was buried 20 feet deep.

Recent Activity

Large natural and human triggered avalanches have been reported in the Ogden area mountains over the last several days, with many of them certainly large and destructive (see Kauffman's pic of the Ben Lomond headwall below). Avalanche control work at the ski areas have pulled out both shallow storm slabs and deeper releases into our persistent weak layer of old weak faceted snow.

Reminder: Please call your closest ski patrol dispatch (INFO) if you happen to witness a new avalanche and are sure there is no one involved. This allows rescue teams to stand down and not stick their necks out if they're not needed. Thank you -

A recent list can be found HERE

Snow and Weather

Skies are becoming overcast as temperatures slowly warm ahead of this next storm. Winds from the west and southwest have already started to increase and are blowing 20-25mph with gusts to 35. Snowfall should begin in the afternoon with possible storm totals of 4-8" overnight. Unfortunately, I'm seeing the storm come in upside down, with snow becoming more dense over time. Accompanying winds will be moderate to strong from the west.

Snow coverage has radically improved at the mid and upper elevations as storm totals in the Ogden mountains ranged from 30-40" with 4-4.75" of snow water equivalent. This storm did allow for a relatively high rain/snow line to perhaps 7000' or so. Greg Gagne and partners toured up by the Rodeo Ridge yesterday and their report is HERE>

Additional Info

Researchers Ian McCammon and Kelly McNeil looked into safety habits that markedly increase our margins of safety. Please take a moment to look over these and recalibrate your safety habits: Six Tips That Could Save Your Life (Recent updates to Safety Messaging)

General Announcements

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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

Instagram

Facebook

Get Forecast Email

Previous Forecasts

Contact via email

Submit Observation

Regions covered