Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne for
Friday, January 17, 2020

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations where pockets of wind-drifted snow exist as well as sensitive soft slabs and long-running sluffs in the new snow. Natural activity in the storm snow is possible during spikes in precipitation.

At the lower elevations, the hazard is Moderate where there is less wind-loading and storm snow.

Low

Moderate

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High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Currently: The cold front has reached the Ogden mountains and temperatures are currently in the low 20s F. Winds are out of the south and west, and have been strong and sustained since late Wednesday night. At the mid and upper elevations winds are averaging in the 20's and 30's mph with gusts in the 40's and 50's mph.

As of 6 am, 1-2" of snow has fallen.

Today: Periods of heavier snowfall through about mid-day, with lighter snow showers expected this afternoon. It will be breezy, with winds out of the west. At the mid-elevations winds will average in the teens with gusts in the 30's. At upper elevations, winds will average in the 20's with gusts in the 40's mph. 5-10" of snowfall is expected throughout the day. Temperatures will be in the low 20's F.

Weekend: Winds will diminish overnight, but remain breezy averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's and 30's mph. Temperatures will gradually warm through the weekend with winds becoming light.

Recent Avalanches

We received no backcountry observations from the Ogden mountains on Thursday. Snow safety workers at Ogden-area resorts reported large sensitive cornices along upper elevation ridgelines.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Pockets of existing and new wind-drifted snow can be found on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Some of these drifts have formed over the past few days from strong and sustained winds out of the south and west, and with new snowfall to work with, today's forecasted gusty winds will create fresh wind drifts. Watch for signs of sensitive drifts including cracking.

Additionally, several days of strong winds have created large and sensitive cornices along most exposed ridgelines. Some of these cornices have dropped naturally, and many observers have noted they are quite sensitive as you approach them. Large cornices often can collapse much further back than expected, so be sure to give them a wide berth when traveling along exposed ridgelines. [Pic Mark White]

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

We are expecting a period of heavy snowfall during the morning hours. Watch for sensitive storm snow during any period of higher precipitation, including sluffing and shallow soft slabs of storm snow, with possible natural activity during spikes in precipitation. As snowfall rates wind down by late morning, new snow instabilities should decrease throughout the afternoon.

Ski cuts are an effective tool for mitigating wind drifts and storm snow instabilities. If you choose to cut a slope that may avalanche, be sure to check no one is below you.

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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

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