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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Greg Gagne
Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, February 14, 2020
The avalanche hazard is Low. The two things to watch for today are (1) pockets of isolated wind slabs along upper elevation aspects facing north through east, and (2) slide-for-life conditions on steep, wind-scoured slopes that have a slick ice crust.
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Weather and Snow
Currently: Temperatures in the Ogden mountains range through the 20's and low 30's F. Winds are out of the south/southwest and gusty. Generally they are averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph, however, some upper elevation stations are reporting gusts in the 30's and low 40's mph.
Today: Another beautiful day in the mountains with temperatures rising into the upper 20's through mid 30's F. Winds will be westerly, averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's and 30's mph. Mid and high-level clouds will increase this afternoon as a dry cold front enters the region.
This Weekend: Beginning late Saturday things become more active with periods of snow on a westerly flow. A strong cold front enters the region later Sunday night, bringing periods of heavier snow, with over a foot possible by later Monday.
The snowpack generally has some very light snow on top of a variety of crusts formed by freezing rain and/or rime that occurred last Friday and last weekend.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches have been reported in the Ogden area mountains. However, one old glide avalanche was found in Coldwater Canyon on Wednesday.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Description
The avalanche hazard is currently Low. However, risk is inherent in mountain travel, and there are two things to watch for today:
1. Pockets of fresh wind slabs along upper leeward aspects, especially those facing north through east.
2. Slide for life conditions on steep, wind-scoured slopes where there is a hard rain/rime crust.
It is important to maintain good travel habits during periods of Low hazard, this includes exposing one person at a time to avalanche terrain and watching one another from islands of safety.
With a Low hazard, it is a reasonable time to venture into new terrain and/or more radical terrain. Enjoy the Low danger for now as we are expecting the avalanche hazard to rise by later this weekend with snow and wind in the forecast. More thoughts on the possible changing avalanche are provided below under Additional Information.
Additional Information
LOOKING AHEAD:
In simple terms, slab avalanches require a slab of snow resting on top of a weak layer. Currently, there exists a few inches of snow on top of a widespread rain/rime crust that formed late last week. This snow at the surface is undergoing a process of faceting (becoming weaker) during this period of cold and clear weather and may provide the necessary weak layer. Some observations have also indicated faceting occurring beneath this crust.Snow and wind forecasted for later this weekend may create the slab on top. The rain/rime crust will provide an excellent bed surface for avalanches to run on.
Certain areas of the Ogden mountains suffered more so with the rime/freezing rain crust. Travel conditions are greatly diminished, particularly on the east side of the Ogden valley.
Photo below of light snow (that will become the weak layer) on top of a crust near Mt Nebo but similar conditions have been found throughout the Wasatch with up to 2-4 inches of light snow on top of crusts.
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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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