Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Greg Gagne
Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, March 27, 2020
The avalanche danger is MODERATE at the upper elevations where avalanches involving new snow are possible. These avalanches may be triggered remotely, break down 1-2' deep, and over 100' wide. The safest option is to travel on slopes less steep than 30 degrees.

The wildcard for today is the effect from the sun. If skies remain clear, the danger may rise to MODERATE where you can expect wet avalanche activity on any slope facing southeast through west.

Conditions can change very quickly this time of year, so be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
UAC operating schedule - We will continue issuing regular avalanche forecasts into mid-April.
Spring Awareness Campaign - The UAC counts on donations from the backcountry community. We know these are uncertain times, and any donation during our awareness campaign will help us continue providing avalanche forecasting and education.
CDC Guidelines - Even in the backcountry and in parking lots, please follow CDC guidelines like limiting group size and keeping a distance of at least 6 feet from other people to protect yourself and others. Don't carpool with anyone outside of your household. Read the guidelines HERE.
Taking risks - Be extra conservative to avoid the risk of accidents, which can stress the capacity of our medical system.
Skiing and riding at closed ski resorts - Some resorts allow access now, and some do not. Please check HERE for the latest info on ski area access.
New to the backcountry (including riding at closed resorts) - Watch the award-winning, 15 minute Know Before You Go video, or take the 5-part, free online-learning series.
Weather and Snow
Snow: Storm totals this week are 18-36" of snow containing 1-2.5" of water.
This morning temperatures are in the low teens and winds are very light, less than 10 mph. Skies are partly cloudy.
For today, expect partly cloudy skies with temperatures rising into the mid 20's F. Winds should remain light, less than 10 mph, with occasional gusts into the low teens mph. Hit-or-miss snow showers are expected to commence early this afternoon, with perhaps 1-2" of additional snowfall.
Recent Avalanches
Reports from the Ogden-area mountains on Thursday indicated increasing stability, with a good bond of the storm snow to the old snow surface. Further south in the Salt Lake mountains, it was a very active day with 11 human-triggered avalanches reported to the UAC.
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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Despite the signs of increasing stability, we have received a lot of snow and wind this past week, and there are pockets in the upper elevations where the new snow may be reactive. The activity in the Salt Lake mountains on Thursday involved weak layers including graupel, facets, and preserved low-density snow, weaknesses that likely exist in the Ogden mountains as well.
The areas that are especially suspect are on slopes at the upper elevations on aspects facing west, through north, and east. Any slope with a denser slab due to wind-loading will be especially vulnerable to avalanching.
The simplest and safest solution is to ride slopes less than 30 degrees in steepness.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The wildcard for today is the effect from the sun. Cold temperatures *should* keep the snow surface cool, and clouds are expected to build by later in the morning, with snow showers likely by early afternoon. But if the skies remain clear, you can expect wet avalanche activity on any slope facing southeast through west. Conditions can change very quickly this time of year, so be prepared to adjust your plans accordingly.
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.