Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Sunday morning, March 6, 2022

A MODERATE danger exists on all steep slopes of the Ogden area mountains with the danger more pronounced on northwest to east facing slopes. Cracking and collapsing are signs of instability.

If the wind picks up by afternoon, the danger will rise accordingly for fresh wind drifts.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Winter has returned! - And lightning is rippling through the valley as I write.

Snow totals for the Ogden area mountains are roughly 5-7" of snow with 0.5"Snow water equivalent. More snow exists as you move south in the Ogden mountains. Farmington and the Sessions are reporting roughly 8-10" of new snow.

Mountain temperatures are in the mid-teens up high, the low 20s down low.

Winds are hardly a whisper even on Mt Ogden. They are veering northwest and should remain light...though increasing by late afternoon.

We should see another few inches of snow this morning with possible lake effect this afternoon. Temperatures will remain as they are.

Another weak system ripples by tomorrow with a more potent storm early/mid week.

Recent Avalanches

None reported.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

I just don't trust the weak faceted snow formed during the Jan/Feb dry spell. They are buried 8-16" deep and this additional snow will stress them a bit. I would approach steep northwest to east facing slopes with caution, and stop to perform some snowtests such as an extended column test.

Damp facets were reactive in Provo at low elevations yesterday (Dave Coyne observation) around steep unsupported terrain features and my worry is that the new snow insulating these damp facets will keep them from freezing and locking up. Low elevation northerly slopes should remain on your radar for today.

Trend: steady

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

New snow instabilities will be most pronounced during any period of high snowfall rates. I would use test slopes and hand pits to see how the snow is reacting under my feet.

Trend: increasing stability

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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.

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