Avalanche forecast

Ogden

Issued Dec 31, 2025valid to Jan 1, 2026Utah Avalanche Center

Avalanche danger

Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline

Out of date — this forecast expired 8 months ago. You’re viewing past conditions, not the current bulletin.

Highlights

An overall LOW avalanche danger exists in the Ogden backcountry. The snow is mostly stable and triggering an avalanche is unlikely. Still, normal caution is advised for wet loose sluffs with daytime heating on steep solar aspects. Note that slide-for-life conditions exist on many steep slopes with the slick rain crust.

Avalanche problems

Persistent Slabs
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NW
Alpine
Treeline
Below treeline
Likelihood
Unlikely
Size
2
The snowpack structure is fairly complicated right now. A PWL (persistent weak layer) of faceted snow is buried 1-2' down. Below the post-Christmas storm lies a very slick and - in many areas - very thick Christmas Eve rain crust (CERC) essentially capping the poor structure below. The structure has shown its cards, but only in the upper Cottonwood Canyons near Alta and Snowbird..and only on Sunday. These were 2-3' deep on very steep north facing slopes above 10,000'.

We've heard of nothing since. Triggering a hard slab on this structure is unlikely, but not impossible. I'd still avoid steep, thin rocky terrain where the crust may be thinner.

Recent Activity

None.

Snow and Weather

Skies are clear. Winds are light from the west and temps are in the mid to upper 30s.

For today, look for mostly sunny skies with increasing high clouds, light backing winds from the southwest and temps in the mid 40s.

All in all, riding conditions are decent in the cold post-Christmas storm snow and best on low angle slopes. Coverage, however, is still thin with just 12-24 inches of snow on the ground. Many low elevations and/or solar aspects are nearly bare.

A storm that's been spinning off the SoCal coast will impact Utah tonight through Friday. This storm will also be wet and warm, with a rain-snow line initially at 8000'. We may see 4-8"...perhaps a bit more.

Matt Barry braved the thin conditions to head up the Cutler Ridge on Monday and his excellent report can be found HERE.

Derek DeBruin submitted an excellent observation from western side Ben Lomond from this past Saturday.

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