Ogden
Pericolo valanghe
- Alta quota
- Limite del bosco
- Sotto il limite del bosco
In sintesi
The avalanche danger is LOW, and we generally have safe avalanche conditions.
However, with gusts over 60 mph overnight, small stubborn slabs of wind drifted snow will be something to look out for today. These wind slabs will be generally shallow and isolated to terrain features that allow for drifting snow to accumulate.
REMEMBER that getting caught in even a small avalanche could have significant consequences with the risk of hitting a rock, stump, or downed timber.
Special Announcement
Announcement: Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
If you missed the 13th Annual Utah Snow and Avalanche Workshop, the recordings are available for purchase from the UAC Store.
The holiday season is right around the corner!! Looking for that special something for your partner? or yourself? Well, we've got an easy shopping solution for you...Buy your gifts at our Pray for Snow online auction.
Recent Activity
No new avalanches reported in the Ogden area backcountry Yesterday.
In the Salt Lake Area mountains Pro observer Mark White saw some small fast-running dry sluffs in in the weak faceted snow of No-name Bowl Sunday.
Video of the "facet sluffs" from No-Name Bowl (PC: M. White)
Recent observations can be found by clicking here.
Snow and Weather
This morning, under broken skies the Northwesterly winds have begun to decrease after hitting averages up to 48 mph and gusts up to 67 mph at the upper-most elevations early this morning. Temperatures are in the low-20s F at trailheads and mid-teens F at upper elevations. The Ogden area mountains picked up a trace amount of snow.
The Ogden mountains have roughly 12-18", the best riding will be found on shaded north-facing terrain if you can find anywhere holding soft snow from Thanksgiving that hasn't been impacted by the strong winds. The South-facing aspects have been going through a melt-freeze cycle, leading to a firm surface crust in the morning.
Today, winds will continue to decrease throughout the day as the skies become clear. The winds will continue to be Northwesterly, and elevated, gusting up to 30 mph at mid-elevations and 50 mph at upper elevations. Temperatures will be in the mid-20s F as this cold air mass stays in the area through mid-week.
Additional Info
Looking Ahead: Although our current snowpack is thin, there is widespread variability. Strong winds in the middle of November scoured many slopes, while others got a firm wind slab compressed into the terrain. Since that time, we have had several cold and clear nights that promote a "faceting" process which weakens the snowpack, turning the snow crystals into sharp, angular, weak grains. With high pressure forecast for at least the next week, this faceting process will continue.
In the long term, this weakening snow will become an issue once we get a load of storm or wind-driven snow on top of this weak snowpack structure. A perfect recipe for avalanche conditions.
Forecaster Greg Gagne gives a summary of what the snow looks like under his feet in upper Big Cottonwood on Thursday.
Weather Outlook: The longer-range models do not look particularly good for storms through mid-December.
General Announcements
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.