Ogden
Avalanche danger
- Alpine
- Treeline
- Below treeline
Highlights
Today the avalanche danger is LOW. There may be a few isolated drifts that could produce a very small avalanche, but the main hazard remains hitting rocks, stumps, and other obstacles because the snowpack is so shallow. These hazards will be harder to see today as they will be covered by an inch or two of light snow.
Recent Activity
No avalanches have been reported but we expect that to change in coming days.
Snow and Weather
Yesterday: 1-2 inches of low-density snow fell yesterday.
Currently: Snow started falling at 4 a.m. mostly in mountains south of Ogden. Temperatures range from 17 degrees F to 13 degrees F and winds are only blowing 2-7 mph even at 9000 ft ridgelines.
Today: Some snow should fall this morning and skies should be cloudy but most of the moisture was drifting south towards SLC and Provo this morning. Winds should increase some from the northwest today and blow 20 mph at upper ridgelines.
Additional Info
Weeks of dry weather and clear, cold skies have weakened and faceted the snowpack on many slopes at mid and upper elevations. The only exceptions are slopes facing due south that received direct sunshine and minimal snow exists. The shallow snow at low elevations is mostly strong refrozen snow. As you move between 7000 to 8000 feet, there is an ice crust that becomes thinner and less supportable and the snow underneath it becomes weaker and more faceted (video below).
Check out two excellent observations from the Ogden area mapping the old snow and discussing the implications. Observation one and observation two.
What does this mean? Slab avalanches require 4 ingredients - slab, weak layer, steep slope, and a trigger. The old snow is the weak layer. Snow falling in coming weeks will become the slab. We are the trigger. There is no doubt that avalanches will start happening as more snow comes. The main strategy to avoid avalanches will be to avoid riding on slopes steeper than 30 degrees.
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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.