Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Thursday morning, December 26, 2019
A MODERATE danger exists for human triggered storm snow avalanches on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Human triggered avalanches are possible.
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Special Announcements
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Weather and Snow
Skies are mostly cloudy to overcast with light snow falling. Overnight, the Ogden mountains picked up an additional 2-3", pushing storm totals since Monday eve to about 10"/0.70"SWE. Winds are generally light from the southwest; mountain temperatures are in the upper teens to low twenties. Riding conditions are exceptional.
Recent Avalanches
Ski area control teams noted loose running sluffs and soft storm slabs off upper ridgelines and rockbands with explosives and ski cuts.

We have received several excellent observations over this past week. You can see them here. Please keep sending them in!
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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Human triggered point release and storm snow avalanches remain possible on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Potential weak interfaces include a spirited layer of stellar snow crystals running on hard wind crusts, density breaks, and preserved near surface facets prior to last weekend's wind event.
These slides can be problematic in steep, sustained terrain where the sluff and storm snow debris may pile up deeply. There's generally little mystery with these types of avalanches: they break at your feet or sled and respond to cornice drops and ski cuts. Keep an eye on your partners; carry and know how to use your rescue gear.
Danger Trend: Steady to Decreasing
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.