Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Sunday morning, February 23, 2020

A MODERATE danger exists on upper elevation north and east-facing terrain for triggering isolated slabs of wind drifted snow up to 2' deep.

At all other elevations, the avalanche danger is LOW. As the day heats up, minimize your exposure to loose, wet avalanches by avoiding steep slopes that are becoming noticeably wet.

Remember a mostly low avalanche danger, doesn’t mean “no avalanche danger”. Continue to evaluate snow and terrain carefully.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Yesterday, temperatures were much warmer than previous days, hitting highs between 40-42 F in the mountains. The winds were light and southwesterly throughout the day, and the cloud cover moved in and out throughout the day letting in periods of sun.

This morning, mountain temperatures in the upper 20s F at trailheads, and low 20s F at ridgetops. Winds are northeasterly and generally light averaging 5-15 mph at mid-elevations. At the highest elevation, ridgetops gusts are 27 mph.

Today will be another sunny and warm one before a quick-hitting cold front moves through Northern Utah. Skies will be clear, and winds northeasterly in the morning and average 5-15 mph with gusts below 25 mph at mid-elevations. Upper elevation ridgelines will average 10-20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph. Throughout the day the winds will shift to northwesterly and increase into the evening as the temperatures drop. With the cold front, the Ogden area mountains could get 1-3 inches of snow.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday's warm temperatures and high cloud cover lead to a few small wet-loose avalanches and roller balls in the backcountry and in resorts.

Photo of wet loose activity on steep terrain on Cutler Ridge yesterday (Photo: Ben)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Isolated wind drifts remain at the upper elevation aspects that didn't get baked in the sun yesterday. While their sensitivity is decreasing with time and warm temperatures, they still possess the potential to be triggered. Since these wind drifts sit on top of weaker snow, that is resting on top of the stout February 7th crust the structure may allow a rider to get well onto a slope before it fractures.

Avoid any wind-drifted slope on terrain steeper than 30 degrees. Signs of wind-drifting include denser pillows of snow or textured snow.

This photo from Cutler Ridge shows obvious signs of wind drifted snow on a slope. (Photo: D. DeBruin)

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

As the day heats up again, and the sun hits the slop. The surface snow will become moist, and you will be able to trigger small wet loose sluffs on steep slopes and natural wet snow avalanches may occur.

While these may not be large, they are enough to knock you off your feet and sweep you through consequential terrain. Look for signs of increased wetting of the snow, such as pinwheeling and loose wet avalanches off of rock features.

The key to wet snow is avoidance. When the snow becomes wet, move off steep slopes to lower angle terrain. Be aware of what is above you, and avoid travel beneath steep slopes, drainages, and gullies. Plan your exists carefully and consider avalanche runout zones when traveling today.

General Announcements

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures