Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Feb 18, 2026valid to Feb 19, 2026Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 6 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

Avalanche danger will rise to HIGH on mid- and upper-elevation slopes facing E-N-NW. It is possible to trigger avalanches more than 2 feet deep on a buried persistent weak layer (PWL) on mid- and upper-elevation slopes facing W-N-E. These slides can break hundreds of feet wide, and can be triggered from a distance. The continuing storm will create wind slabs and new snow avalanches.

The recommendation for today is simple: as we approach HIGH danger, avoid all avalanche terrain.

Stick to slopes less than 30 degrees.
Stay well away from slopes connected to or below anything steeper than 30 degrees.
Be aware of who is above and below you.

Avalanche problems

Wind Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
2
You will be able to find slabs more than 2' deep on all aspects at high elevations, and on exposed mid-elevation slopes facing SE-N-NW. These will be most common near ridgelines, and on mid-slope catchment features such as gullies and convex rolls. Be on the lookout for drifts, dunes, pillows, and wind-textured surfaces as these are signs the wind has been at work. If the snow beneath your feet starts to sound hollow, like styrofoam, this is a sign you may have found a slab.

These will have the potential to break/propagate wider than expected, and possibly be triggered from a distance (remote triggering) as they may be built atop the weak snow...more on that below.
Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
3
The Dry January Layer (DJL) weak layer of faceted snow that was created in our January dry spell can be found on upper and mid-elevation W-N-E facing slopes.

Slabs are building on top of the very weak DJL. This strong over weak structure is VERY LIKELY to produce large, destructive avalanches big enough to bury and kill a person, and potentially damage a car, by the end of the day. Expect these to be able to propagate widely, and potentially be triggered from a distance away (remote-triggering). If you're considering “safe” travel on a ridgeline, be aware that you may be a hazard to those below you if you trigger (or remote trigger) a slide on the slopes adjacent to you, especially in a busy area. Be aware of who and what is above and below you today. Find safer riding conditions on slopes less than 30° with no overhead hazard.

As the storm carries on, expect these to increase in size and likelihood. Wind-loaded slopes mentioned above are most suspect.
Storm Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Likely
Size
1
On slopes and features protected from the wind, natural avalanches of new snow will become LIKELY, and human-triggered avalanches VERY LIKELY. These will looks one of two ways:

Storm slabs: denser, new snow will run on top of, and possibly into, the weak old snow. Be aware of triggering one of these into a terrain trap at mid and lower elevations, such as road cuts, creeks, and gullies. Cracking along the snow surface is a sign that you found a slab.

Loose dry sluffs: unconsolidated, dry new snow will run far and fast. At their smallest, these will be able to knock you off your feet, and at their largest, bury a person. They will be most common on steeper slopes, especially where more graupel has fallen.

Avalanche Warning

What: The avalanche danger for the warning area is rising to HIGH today.

Where: The mountains of Northern, Central, and Southwestern Utah, as well as Southeastern Idaho.

Impacts: Recent heavy snow combined with strong wind is creating widespread areas of unstable snow. Both human-triggered and natural avalanches are likely. Avalanches will increase in size and likelihood throughout the day.

What to do: Avoid all avalanche terrain. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30°. Carry and know how to use avalanche rescue equipment. Find safer riding conditions on slopes less than 30° with no overhead hazard

Warning Times: Wednesday, 2/18/26 at 6:00 AM MST through Thursday, 2/19/26 at 6:00 AM MST

Special Announcement

Avalanche Warning vs. Watch: The UAC upgraded our Avalanche WATCH to our first Avalanche WARNING of the season today. An Avalanche WARNING —the most severe avalanche alert product we have—is issued when large avalanches are certain or very likely in many areas and when unusually dangerous avalanche conditions exist. More info on each of these from Bruce Tremper and Drew Hardesty HERE.

Recent Activity

Paige and I got to get out with Corey Kruse of Snowbasin two days ago.

Two reports from Saturday include:

- Josh Martineau on Bountiful Peak

- Derek DeBruin on Cutler Ridge

Both Josh and Derek reported a poor snowpack structure of faceted snow.

You can view all recent observations here.

Snow and Weather

Since Monday evening, a series of storms arrived on SW flow, along with strong winds. Precipitation and winds from the W shifting SW continued through the night, with temps in the 20s dropping to the teens F. Storm totals this morning are:

Monte Cristo: up to 11 inches of graupel and snow // 1.2" of H2O
Powder Mountain: up to 8 inches of graupel and snow // 1.16" of H2O
Snowbasin: up to 6 inches of graupel and snow // 0.76" H2O

Today, snow/graupel showers continue until the early afternoon when a cold front arrives out of the W. This will increase precip rates, reaching up to 2"/hour at some points this afternoon of cold, low-density snowfall. Winds remain moderate, decreasing slightly into the evening, and temps drop from the teens to single digits F. The storm track is expected to shift to the NW, but if it shifts more W, the Ogden Skyline will be favored. The majority of snowfall is expected by sunset, with a forecast additional:

Mountains East of Eden (Powder Mountain, Monte Cristo): 6-9 inches snow // 0.4-0.7" H2O by 5pm
Ogden Skyline/Snowbasin: 6-10 inches of snow // 0.4-0.6" H2O (expect the higher end for Ben Lomond if the storm track shifts more W than NW)

General Announcements

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