Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Greg Gagne
Issued by Greg Gagne on
Thursday morning, December 13, 2018
The avalanche hazard is Moderate for fresh wind drifts at the upper elevations, as well as mid elevations facing north, through east, and south. Also watch for large, sensitive cornices along upper elevation ridgelines. Otherwise the hazard is Low.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
3-5" of snowfall in the Ogden mountains, but it was Wednesday's strong westerly winds that grabbed the headlines, with gusts in the 40's and 50's mph.
Winds have since subsided and are now generally light, gusting into the teens along upper elevation ridgelines, switching to and fro between the northwest and southwest.
For today, you can expect mostly sunny skies with light westerly winds. Temperatures will rise into the teens at the upper elevations, and low 20's at the mid elevations.
Recent Avalanches
Poor visibility and few observations from Wednesday. But we did hear reports of growing cornices along the ridges, as well as fresh, sensitive wind drifts at the upper elevations.
We greatly value of community of observers from the Ogden mountains, and we want to hear about what you're seeing! At the bottom of this forecast page we provide a short video illustrating how you can send us your valuable snow and avalanche observations.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Yesterday's strong westerly winds created wind drifts along the upper elevation ridges. Although I am expecting these drifts to be less sensitive today, you may find fresh drifts 6-18" reactive. Although most of these drifts will be found on easterly aspects, strong, swirling winds cross-load terrain features, creating possible drifts on all upper elevation aspects. The obvious clues for fresh wind drifting are smooth, rounded pillows.
Also watch for large, sensitive cornices along the upper elevation ridges, where they may break back further than expected.
Additional Information
Help us verify our forecasts and let us know what you see out and about in the backcountry. Trigger an avalanche? Hear a whumph? Submitting observations is easy. Click on Observations and Avalanches in the menu bar at the top or from the convenience of your smartphone. I'll run you through the smartphone observation in the video below.
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.