Ogden

Problemi valanghivi

• 

  Persistent Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  2

  Most of the avalanches we've seen over the past few days have been soft slab avalanches failing on a persistent weak layer on the Northern end of the compass. With every bump in wind speed and or new snowfall event added to our fragile snowpack, we continue to wait for the weak facets to become unglued. This morning we added two huge new stressors to this fragile snowpack in the form of new snowfall and elevated winds. We don't know if this is the tipping point that will cause the snowpack to become unglued, but we do know that the avalanche danger and likelihood of avalanches will be on the rise.

  Given the new snowfall, elevated winds, and poor snowpack structure I would avoid any west through north through east facing terrain steeper than 30 degrees, with any steep terrain above or attached to it. Very dangerous avalanche conditions exist, and today is not the day to push it. Avoidance is key. Stick to low-angle terrain.

  Photo: Torrey & Graves showing the weak faceted snow layer from the Cottonwoods in their snowpit and hands.

• 

  Wind Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilità

  Likely

  Dimensione

  2

  The winds have been cranking all week, and continue to remain elevated. High winds in combination with the new snow will continue to form both soft and hard slabs at all mid and upper elevations. As the winds continue to blow, these slabs will become more firm and cohesive. This can allow you to travel out farther onto the slope before it breaks, and can fail larger and wider than expected. Look for any signs of wind drifted snow on all mid and upper elevation terrain features that snow could be easily deposited, such as ridgelines and gullies.

  High winds can deposit snow on all aspects but give west through north through east extra caution, as triggering an avalanche that initially fails in the wind-drifted snow will likely break down more deeply into the weak faceted snow below.

• 

  Storm Slabs

  N

  NE

  E

  SE

  S

  SW

  W

  NW

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

  Probabilità

  Possible

  Dimensione

  1

  This morning the Ogden mountains have already received 8-12" of new snow. While snow totals are important, what we truly pay attention to is what RATE that snowfalls and how quickly it loads the snowpack. We call this precipitation intensity, and if those rates stay elevated or increase throughout the morning we could see new snow avalanches occurring naturally. Keep an eye on the sky, if the snow rate rapidly increases you know the danger is on the rise. 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 a storm snow could easily down more deeply into the weak faceted snow.