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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Tuesday morning, January 12, 2021
There is a MODERATE avalanche danger on all steep upper elevation slopes and mid-elevation slopes facing west through north through east where recent storm snow and winds have created a dense slab of snow on top of a buried persistent weak layer. We are seeing the most widespread instability of this layer above 8500', continue to pay attention to any obvious red flags, like cracking or collapsing.
Avalanches may be 2-3' deep and over 200' wide. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully - avoid being on, underneath, or adjacent to steep slopes on these aspects and elevations where human-triggered avalanches are possible.
Remember: If you are exiting a resort boundary, you are entering the backcountry and likely stepping into a MODERATE avalanche danger where heightened avalanche conditions exist.
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Special Announcements
With great sadness, the Utah Avalanche Center reports that a 31-year old male snowboarder from Clinton, Utah, was killed in a backcountry avalanche in Dutch Draw off of Silver Peak, located on the Park City Ridgeline. The final report for the avalanche fatality is available HERE.
Please join UAC Forecaster Craig Gordon in partnership with Park City Professional Ski Patrol Association on a Zoom presentation as we discuss the current state of our snowpack, what we can expect moving forward, and how we can still ride the Greatest Snow on Earth safely. Join zoom HERE.
Weather and Snow
This morning, under mostly clear skies we have an inversion in the mountains. Trailhead temperatures are in the mid-teens °F, while mountain temperatures are in the upper-20s °F. Westerly winds are gernally light with some ridgetop gusts up to 26 mph.
Today, will bring mostly sunny skies and a continued warming trend. Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 30s °F, and winds will remain light throughout the day, increasing in the afternoon, with westerly ridgetop winds below 35 mph. Lingering soft settled powder exists on the shady protected terrain while the southerly facing terrain will be crusted this morning before softening by mid-afternoon.
Yesterday large surface hoar was reported throughout the range, with the low winds over the last 24 hours the surface hoar was likely preserved overnight.
Photo of the large surface hoar near Powder Mountain yesterday. (pc: D. DeBruin)
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the Ogden backcountry yesterday.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
In simple terms, we are seeing less avalanche activity, but the base of our snowpack is made up of different layers of buried weak faceted snow with a stronger, more dense layer of snow on top. This creates a problem. If you decide to ride slopes greater than 30° degrees in steepness (avalanche terrain), you are messing with a very dangerous avalanche problem. Below are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with a PWL.
  • Responsible for roughly 70% of all avalanche fatalities
  • Avalanches can be triggered from a distance.
  • Can be triggered days, weeks, or months after being buried
  • Tracks are not a sign of stability, and you can still trigger the avalanche even though the slope is tracked up.
Travel Advice: Avoid steep west to north to east facing terrain above 8500'. Heightened avalanche conditions still exist at mid-elevations. Steep terrain means any slope that is greater than 30° in steepness. Make sure nothing is steep above or adjacent to you as you travel as avalanches can be triggered from a distance. Personally, even with a moderate avalanche danger. I am not messing with this terrain at all. Human triggered avalanches are still possible. I will be riding or walking in low angle terrain for the foreseeable future.
The image below shows that the danger stays elevated for many days after a loading event when dealing with persistent weak layers
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.
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.
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