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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Wednesday morning, February 21, 2018

Pockets of CONSIDERABLE danger exist in localized terrain for human triggered avalanches 1-2' deep. The danger is most pronounced in steep wind drifted north through east facing terrain above about 8000'. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making remains essential today.

The Good News: excellent and safer skiing and riding conditions can be found on non-wind loaded southerly aspects. If headed to northerly terrain, the smart money stays on low angle slopes with no overhead hazard (ie-connected to steeper slopes above or adjacent to you).

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Weather and Snow

Skies are partly cloudy with the coldest temps of the season. Temps are -3°F along the ridgelines and in the low single digits elsewhere. Winds are southwesterly blowing 10-15mph. Wind chill is -23°F up high. Coverage ists at 40-45" in the Ogden area mountains with near 60" at Monte Cristo.

Recent Avalanches

Ski area control teams triggered soft and manageable wind drifts with ski cuts and explosives yesterday. Two days ago, the Snowbasin snow safety team was able to trigger a 2-3' deep and 200' wide hard slab with explosives.

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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Lingering wind slabs may still be sensitive to human weight on many steep drifted slopes at the mid and upper elevations. They may be more promiment on easterly facing slopes; however terrain as a way of channelling snow onto a variety of aspects and deposition zones. These should be responsive to ski cuts and cornice drops.

Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

There are huge differences in the snowpack as you go up in elevation. Northerly facing slopes at upper elevations that held the most snow prior to Monday's storm also are the ones that harbor old faceted snow. With a snowfall containing about 1.2 inches of snow water equivalent near Monte Cristo and Powder Mountain, these upper elevation slopes are prime spots to trigger a persistent slab avalanche. Near Snowbasin, less snow fell, but it still may be enough to activate these faceted layers, especially with just a little wind loading.

Fortunately it's easy to avoid this problem by losing elevation or switching to a more southerly aspect. With cold temperatures and partly to mostly cloudy skies, the snow in these places will remain great.

Additional Information

We'll see increasing clouds with the first of many generally weak weather systems on tap for northern Utah. For today, winds will be from the south and southwest at 10-15mph. Temps will generally remain in the freezer for awhile...today they'll be in the single digits up high and the low teens at the mid-elevations. Saturday night into Sunday holds the best promise for additional snowfall.

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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.

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