Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Friday morning, April 17, 2020
A MODERATE danger exists for human triggered avalanches 8-16" deep, primarily (but not limited to) along the upper elevation northwest through east facing aspects. The danger for wet avalanches may rise to CONSIDERABLE today with sunny skies and warming temperatures. Expect both natural and human triggered slides in wet unstable snow on the solar aspects.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
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Weather and Snow
Skies are clear with light wind and temps in the upper teens to low 20s. Estimated snow totals from the past couple days are up to a foot in favored terrain. Coverage is still fair but the lower elevations are melting out fast. Some south and west aspects will have a slight zipper crust this morning.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, there were no new reports of avalanches in the Ogden area. In the Central Wasatch, there were over 30 reported human triggered slides 10-16" deep and up to 200' wide. These were running on last week's thermal crust or within the new snow.
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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
I need to trend conservative and presume guilty until proven innocent with the storm snow. The poor structure is possible on some slopes in the Ogden mountains and may be most problematic on steep northwest to east facing slopes in areas that have seen the most snow and wind. Cracking and collapsing may not be evident but simple snow tests (Extended Column tests) and test slopes should offer some indication.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Despite cool morning temperatures, the storm snow will heat up in a hurry with direct sun and temps warming to the mid 40s at the mid-elevations, the mid-30s up high. 8-12" of cold snow will become damp and then wet and unstable, running fast and far on last week's suncrusts. Natural and human triggered avalanches will be likely during the heat of the day. Both wet sluffs and wet slabs are possible. When the snow starts becoming damp, move to a cooler slope or lower angle terrain.
Additional Information
Information on outdoor recreation - The State of Utah created this webpage with information about recreating on both state and federal public lands during the current health crisis.

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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.