Ogden

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Very Likely

  Dimensione

  3

  Dangerous avalanche conditions exist on mid and upper elevation slopes facing Northwest through North through East where 1-3' of new storm snow, and wind-blown snow has overloaded the weak, faceted snow from January and February. Over the last few days, we have begun to see recent avalanche activity on this layer. As we continue to add more snow, and more wind these avalanches are only becoming larger, more destructive, and more deadly. Avalanches may break down 1-3' deep, possibly deeper, and propagate up to 100' wide. Either way, these avalanches are likely to be unsurvivable.

  A few words of caution:

  • Signs of instability may not always be present: you may or may not see or experience shooting cracks or audible whumping.
  • Tracks on the slope offer zero signs of stability. Avalanches will take out multiple existing tracks.
  • You can trigger these avalanches from a distance or below.
  • Any fresh wind slab or new snow avalanche may step down into this older layering of weak snow.

  Bottom Line: There is no outsmarting this problem - avoidance is the answer. If you're traveling on the shady side of the compass, be sure to stick to terrain that's under 30° degrees in slope steepness with nothing steep above or adjacent to you.

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  2

  Over the past 24 hours, we have seen gusts up to 40 mph. With so much new snow available for transport, even a small bump in winds will begin drifting snow. Sustained high winds can deposit snow around terrain features on almost any aspect, called cross-loading. For this reason, I would expect to find slabs of wind drifted snow at all upper and mid-elevation slopes, especially along with terrain features such as ridgelines, sub ridges, and gullies.

  These wind drifts will be particularly touchy at upper elevation aspects facing west through north through east, where the wind drifted snow will be sitting on top of the weak faceted snow. Any wind drifted snow or new snow avalanche triggered can step down into deeper weaker layers creating a much larger avalanche.

  Today look for slopes with any signs of wind drifted snow, such as cracking, hollow noises, and pillow-shaped snow, and avoiding those slopes.

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

  • Alta quota
  • Limite del bosco
  • Sotto il limite del bosco

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  2

  The Ogden area mountains received a lot of new snow! I'd expect to see the new snow instabilities beginning to settle out over the next 24 hours, but with higher than expected overall snowfall totals, new snow avalanches will remain likely sensitive in steep terrain at all elevations in all aspects this morning. Yesterday, we saw the new snow avalanches fail both within the new snow itself and at the new/old interface.

  Today, you may find both fast-running sluffs and sensitive storm slabs in areas that received the most snow or in areas that also had some wind-drifting. Look for signs of new snow instabilities such as cracking, and collapsing. Triggering an avalanche that initially fails in the storm snow could easily down more deeply into the weak faceted snow.

  If the sun does come out, pay attention to any signs of the snow surface becoming damp.