Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Tuesday morning, December 29, 2020

Areas of CONSIDERABLE danger exist on many west to north to easterly facing aspects in the upper elevations. You can still trigger avalanches 1-2' deep on, adjacent to, or below steep slopes. A MODERATE danger exists for fresh drifts of wind blown snow in the mid and upper elevations.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Skies are clear.

Mountain temperatures are in the single digits up high, the teens elsewhere across the board.

Winds, mercifully, died down as the storm rolled off for the cities of the plain. The easterly winds yesterday blew 25-30mph, as recorded by both mid and upper elevation anemometers and you'll find evidence of that wreckage - along with storm totals of possibly a trace to an inch - if you're headed into the backcountry today.

For today, we'll see mostly sunny skies, temps in the mid-teens up high, the mid-20s down low. Winds will be 15-20mph from the north.

The cold moon arrives this evening.

The Outlook - The next splitting storm arrives Wednesday night into Thursday and may offer an inch or two. Beyond that, perhaps another couple of storms just after the New Year.

Recent Avalanches

We didn't hear of any avalanches from the backcountry, but ski area avalanche control teams noted plenty of large collapsing in steep uncompacted terrain yesterday.

Excellent observations came in from Ben and Den Bauter, Doug Wewer, and Derek DeBruin on Sunday. Find them HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Overall, the slab is settling and gaining strength and avalanches are becoming less sensitive. The weak layer, down 12-24", however, remains as weak as ever.

Regardless of whether the likelihood has somewhat diminished, the odds are still not good enough to dive into steep terrain. Some people have gotten away with it, but luck runs out eventually.

The snowpack currently is showing its cards with cracking and audible collapsing. In other words, when the snowpack is talking to you, it's best to listen. Beyond that, there's little mystery. Sure the snow is all white, but - if you look at Derek DeBruin's snowpit from Sunday, you'll see harder snow over weaker snow. Take a moment to dig down with your shovel today. If you seem a similar structure, make sure to stick to low angle terrain.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

You may be able to trigger one of yesterday's wind drifts in steep terrain today. REMEMBER that the winds were from the east (southeast>northeast), resulting in unusual drifting patterns. They'll be more prominent on north to west to south facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations. Drifts are also cross-loaded to the lee of sub-ridges and may be found well off the ridgelines. You can sometimes identify drifts by their rounded, chalky appearance.

REMEMBER that any slide triggered on west to north to easterly facing terrain may step down into older snow layers, resulting in a much more destructive avalanche.

Additional Information

A party that triggered an avalanche in the Wilson Glade in the central Wasatch on Sunday had more to say. I appreciate their introspection and willingness to share their thoughts.

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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