UDOT PLANNED AVALANCHE CLOSURES!!

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Dave Kelly
Issued by Dave Kelly on
Tuesday morning, February 27, 2024
Today, there is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger on upper-elevation slopes where you are likely to trigger wind-drifted snow avalanches near ridgelines and terrain features.
The avalanche danger is MODERATE on mid-elevation slopes and LOW at the lowest elevations.
Strong overnight winds created fresh wind-drifts at upper elevations and new snow may be covering them. These wind-drifts may break above you 1'-2' deep; and can be avoided by choosing terrain out of the wind zone.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow
This morning, under overcast skies trailhead temperatures are in the teen's °F and ridgetop temperatures are in the low single digits °F. Winds are blowing from the west 10 gusting to 25 MPH at mid-elevations, and 25 gusting to 35 MPH at 9,500' with a max overnight gust of 83 MPH at 9,202'. Wind chills are well below 0 °F. There was 2"-4" of storm snow overnight with .14"-.35" of water.
Today, we can expect cloudy skies, winds blowing from the west 15 gusting to 25 MPH at the 8,000' ridgelines and 30 gusting to 45 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines. Temperatures should be 18°- 20°F. Light snow 1"-3" and .05"-.20" of water expected today. Snow should taper off with clearing skies by later this evening.
Our Partners at the National Weather Service have issued a Winter Storm Warning effective until 5PM this evening with 10"-20" of total snow expected and gusty winds at higher elevations. Read more HERE.
Recent Avalanches
Yesterday, there were no reports from the Ogden Area Mountains. There was a report of a wind-drifted snow avalanche on a wind-loaded slope from Sunday and I would expect that with high wind speeds (gusts to 83 MPH at 9,202') there were sensitive cornices and active wind-loading along the ridgelines such as on Ben Lomond and the North Ogden Divide.
Further south there was a close call with a group of 4 skiers involved in a wind-drifted snow avalanche on Little Water Peak, in Big Cottonwood Canyon. We will update this report with more details as we gather information.
Check out all recent observations HERE.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Underneath the newest snow you will find stubborn slabs of wind-drifted snow on upper-elevation slopes and terrain features. These drifts could be 1'-2' deep and break up to 150' wide. Watch for and avoid signs of wind-drifted snow; such as pillow-shaped deposits and rounded smooth areas of snow. Cracking in new wind-drifted snow is a sign that things are unstable and steeper slopes should be avoided.
Cornices are signs of wind loading leeward features. Any cornice failure could trigger an avalanche on the slope below and today I would give these new cornices some space as they may break further back from the ridgelines than you expect.
In some areas we did see weak surface snow prior to yesterday's wind event on steep northerly facing terrain. There will be isolated areas out of the wind zone where the new snow will not have bonded particularly well. Have an escape plan if loose surface snow picks up more speed as it can be more than enough mass to carry you off your feet. Any new wind-drifted snow on weak surface snow will be perched precariously waiting for an additional load before it cascades downslope. This could be more wind, snow, or a human trigger.
General Announcements
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.