Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Tuesday morning, February 11, 2020
The avalanche danger is LOW on all aspects and elevations. Remember a low avalanche danger, doesn’t mean “no avalanche danger”. Continue to evaluate snow and terrain carefully and watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Consider the terrain you are traveling in, even a small ride in steep sustained terrain can be fatal. Use safe travel protocol by only exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain. Carry rescue gear and keep an eye on your partner.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
Discounted lift tickets - Thanks to the generous support of our Utah ski resorts and Ski Utah, all proceeds from these ticket sales go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education! Get your tickets here.
Looking to improve your avalanche skills? We are offering a Backcountry 101: Introduction to Avalanches class at Powder Mountain February 14-15.
Weather and Snow
This morning, mountain temperatures are near 10 F at trailheads and in the single digits at the ridgelines. Skies are currently clear and winds are light and Northerly, averaging 5- 10 mph with gusts up to 25 mph at the uppermost ridgetops.
Today, skies will be mostly sunny with some high clouds moving through the area in the afternoon. Temperatures should begin to increase this morning, reaching temperatures in the mid to upper 20s F by the afternoon. Winds will continue to be Northerly, averaging 5 - 10 mph with a few gusts up to 35 mph at the upper-most elevations, near 11,000 feet.
The backcountry currently hosts a variety of supportable crusts, making travel and riding fast and efficient. This morning Southerly aspects will have a new solar crust after a few hours of sun yesterday.

Photo from Maples of the thick ice crust on the surface. (Photo: D. DeBruin)
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches reported in the backcountry yesterday.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Remember, LOW avalanche danger is different from NO avalanche danger. No matter what, traveling the mountains is inherently risky. As the avalanche danger decreases, we tend to choose larger terrain objects and we need to remember that even a small avalanche can have serious consequences in steep sustained terrain or areas with dangerous terrain features like cliff bands and rocks.
Look for snow that has been affected by the wind and use the terrain to move around those areas.

Today, the wind drifted snow and new snow is becoming increasingly stubborn. Much of the snow structure has been capped by the recent rime and freezing rain. Over the next few days keep an eye on this structure, and watch for the development of weak faceted snow beneath the crust which could pose a problem for our snowpack in the future.
Additional Information
With clear skies and cold temperatures, weak snow is sure to develop above and below these near-surface crusts and this may prove to make avalanche conditions interesting in the coming weeks. A few folks - Doug Wewer and Brandon Everett - suggested re-reading an old collection of articles about the MLK crusts of 2011 in the Avalanche Review, linked HERE. Thanks guys.
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.