UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer for
Saturday, November 24, 2018
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all slopes at the mid and upper elevations for wind drifted snow. Keep an eye out for recent drifts of blown snow. Human triggered avalanches are possible in steep wind loaded terrain.
  • We will update this forecast by 7:30 Sunday morning.
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Moderate
Considerable
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
We are very proud to introduce our new website for the 2018-19 winter season. This will provide an easier and cleaner way to view all of the snow and avalanche information that you've come to rely on. We are quite happy with how the new website performs on mobile devices as well. We think you'll find the desktop or laptop experience pleasant as well. We are still tying up some loose ends so bear with us.
Weather and Snow
A sharp cold front has arrived this morning and will impact the Ogden area mountains with strong wind and heavy snow throughout the day. Ogden peak is currently blowing north-west at 32 mph gusting into the 40's. Overnight we picked up another 6-12" of new snow (0.50" to 2.03" h20). Current temperatures are in the teens F° at the upper elevations and in the 20's F° at 7500'. You can expect 9-14" of new snow today.
Recent Avalanches
No avalanches have been reported from the Ogden mountains.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Winds are currently nuking across the mid and upper elevations with speeds of 20-30 mph gusting into the 40's. With 9-14" of new snow expected you can be certain to find fresh drifts of wind blown snow on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. If the snow looks pillowy, fat/rounded that's a wind drift. Avoid being on steep slopes with new drifts of wind blown snow. Depending on how fast the storm snow falls we could see a period of new snow avalanches that fail within the new storm snow, especially on the steeper terrain.
There is a chance on the high elevation northerly terrain that an avalanche could fail into old weak faceted snow or on an icy crust. This would be very easy to find - take out your shovel and dig down to the dirt, if the snow is falling on bare ground then there is no old weak snow. If you are seeing a small layer of old, gray, dull looking snow, it's probably sugary and faceted, or a slick crust, that slope should be avoided. Remember to always dig your snowpits out of avalanche terrain. We have not had many reports from the Ogden area so if you're getting out an observation would be appreciated.
Additional Information
Join the UAC for the 2nd Annual Ogden Backcountry Bash at The Front Climbing Gym in Ogden.
Beer, pizza, silent auction, prizes, and climbing!
November 29
6:30 PM - 9:30 PM
The Front Climbing Club, 225 20th street, Ogden UT 84401