Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Wednesday morning, January 29, 2020
Today, a MODERATE avalanche danger exists at all upper elevations and north, east, and south-facing mid-elevation slopes where wind drifted snow is the main concern. Look for any signs of wind drifted snow, and avoid those slopes.
The avalanche danger is LOW on west-facing mid-elevation and all low elevations, where generally safe avalanche conditions exist.
Heads up: There could be a short period of high snowfall rates this morning, and the new snow may sluff on the steepest slopes.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
NEW UAC Podcast: The Art of Storytelling Through Film - A Conversation with Trent Meisenheimer check it out HERE.
NEW UAC BLOG: The Anthropology of Risk - How Did We Get Here? Find it HERE
Weather and Snow
Yesterday brought a trace amount of snow to the mountains, overcast skies and high temperatures in the mid-20s F to low 30s F. Winds stayed westerly averaging in the mid-teens with gusts up to 30 mph at the ridgetops. The uppermost elevations, above 11,000' feet, saw some gusts above 50 mph.
This morning, snow has begun to fall with up to 4 inches in the mountains, temperatures are currently in the mid-teens F at trailheads and low-teens F at ridgetops. Westerly winds are averaging in the mid teens with gusts near 30 mph.
Today, yet another weak system will impact the area this morning into the early afternoon. The mountains could pick up another 3-5 inches of snow, with temperatures in the low 20s F to upper 20s. The winds will switch back to northwesterly and average in the teens and gusts into the 20s mph.
Looking down the road, weekend ridgetop temperatures may reach into the mid-40s F! The heatwave should be brief; however, the models do bring a strong cold front on Monday.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday one skier triggered avalanche was reported in the backcountry. On Culter Ridge, of Ben Lomond, on a North aspect at 7,700 feet a shallow soft slab avalanche was triggered. This avalanche failed in the new snow, old snow interface 4 inches down and ran 45 feet long and 25 feet wide. See full avalanche report HERE.
Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The main avalanche issues to watch out for are slabs of wind drifted snow. Yesterday, winds blew from many different directions and this morning winds are still gusting near 30 mph. On Culter Ridge, everything above 8,000 feet had signs of wind drifted snow. High winds can deposit snow around terrain features on almost any aspect, called cross-loading. For this reason, I would expect to find sensitive slabs of wind drifted snow at all upper slopes, and North, East, and South-facing mid-elevation slopes especially along with terrain features such as ridgelines, sub ridges, and gullies.
Today continue to look for slopes with any signs of wind drifted snow, such as cracking, hollow noises, and pillow-shaped snow and avoiding those slopes.
Cornice: Many ridgelines now have large and overhanging cornices. A few days of strong winds at the uppermost ridgelines have made cornices even larger. Be sure to give cornices a wide berth as they typically break much further back than expected.
Additional Information
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.
Observations and Avalanches
Backcountry Emergency Procedures
Instagram
Facebook
Get Forecast Email
Previous Forecasts
Contact via email
Submit Observation
< Previous forecast
Next forecast >