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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer for
Monday, February 18, 2019
A MODERATE DANGER exists on heavily wind loaded slopes at the mid and upper elevations. The danger is most pronounced on upper elevation northerly through easterly facing terrain. Cornices are an issue - Exercise great caution along and underneath the heavily corniced ridgelines.
Safe Travel Protocols are critical: Beacon, shovel, probes, one at a time, get out of the way at the bottom, have a plan.
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Weather and Snow
Currently, there is a center of low pressure down in southern Utah that's spinning counter clockwise creating east-southeast winds and ushering in clouds to northern Utah. Overnight we picked up a trace to a few more inches of cold smoke as the clouds passing by spit and sputtered a few snowflakes. This morning the winds are from the southeast and are blowing 5-10 mph at upper elevations. Mountain temperatures are hovering around the single digits °F. The riding and turning conditions are all time with cold dry powder on almost every aspect.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported from the Ogden backcountry. List of all observations can be found HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
For today, new and old wind drifts exist on many aspects now at the mid and upper elevations. Some are stubborn and hard; others are shallow and soft. All are gaining strength and stability but steep wind drifted terrain should continue to be avoided for another day. In the central Wasatch riders are triggering wind slabs 1-2' deep and up to 500' wide. We aren't getting reports of this in the Ogden area, but it's good information to know. Look for and avoid pillowy, rounded, hollow sounding snow.
Avalanche Problem #2
Cornice
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
CORNICES ARE ENORMOUS. Most of these are too large to intentionally drop onto a slope below. They will break back farther than you think, well back from the apex of the ridgeline. Exercise great caution along and underneath the heavily corniced ridgelines. (PC: Grainger)
Additional Information
The accident reports for the four avalanche fatalities are all finalized with some first-hand accounts and worth reading. We all have something to learn so that we can get home safely to our loved ones. List of all accidents found HERE.
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.
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