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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Wednesday morning, December 4, 2013

Overall, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. There are areas with a CONSIDERABLE danger in the upper elevation northwest through northeast facing slopes approaching 40 degrees in steepness. Human triggered avalanches are likely in these locations, natural avalanches are not expected.

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Weather and Snow

Temperatures continue downward with readings in the single digits and below zero. Winds remain light from the northwest. Snow totals in the Ogden area are about 12" . (red line is temperature in the chart)

Recent Avalanches

No avalanche activity was reported from the Ogden area mountains. In the Salt Lake region, the new snow was fairly active on Tuesday with lots of cracking and a number of shallow avalanches reported also. These involved weakness within the new snow for the most part but a couple of avalanches did remove all of the new snow exposing the previous faceted snow surface. I would expect some similarities in the Ogden area.

Date Region Place Trigger Depth Width Aspect Elevation Weakness
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Park City Ski Resort Skier 8" 60 North 9600 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Park City Ridgeline Skier 16" 80 Northeast 9400 Facets Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Evergreen Ridge Skier 12" 60 Northeast 9200 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Scotts Bowl Natural 10" 50 North 9800 Facets Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Dog Lake Chutes Skier 4" 35 Northeast 9700 Density Change Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Evergreen Ridge Skier 12" 100 Northwest 9800 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Salt Lake Snow Bike 6" 25 Southwest 5100 Ground Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake 10420 Natural 4" 400 Northeast 10200 Density Change Details

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Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Even though the now buried faceted snow didn't seem to be all that reactive to the new load on Tuesday, I place this avalanche problem as the biggest concern today. I don't feel that the faceted snow has really showed it's cards yet. Very low density new snow and lack of wind are contributors to keeping the persistent weakness at bay. However, betting on facets to not avalanche is a loosing hand.

Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The new snow should be less sensitive today after a night of settlement. This avalanche problem is fairly easy to manage as it is quick to show it's cards with cracking and instant results on small steep test slopes. Poke and prod any small steep slope to get a feel if the new snow is still sensitive.

Additional Information

It'll be cold today with temperatures remaining in the single digits and light northwest winds. Expect some clouds to move in with the chance of snow flurries with no significant accumulation. Cold temperatures and chances for flurries continue Thursday and Friday with another storm moving in on Saturday which may give us some more snow accumulation.

General Announcements

This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort Dispatch (435-615-3322)

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Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

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