Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, February 7, 2025

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations where there are sensitive soft slabs of wind-drifted and storm snow.

Watch for rapidly changing conditions - especially this afternoon - when strong winds accompanied by heavy snowfall are expected.

On mid and upper-elevation northerly-facing slopes, avalanches may break down into old, faceted snow 1-3 feet deep.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Special Announcements

The Preliminary Report for Monday's Monte Cristo avalanche fatality is HERE.

Our condolences go out to the victim's friends and family and all those affected by this tragic accident. UAC staff visited the site on Tuesday and a full report is forthcoming.

Weather and Snow

This morning: Temperatures are 25-35° F, and winds are from the south and strong - gusting into the 40's and 50's mph along exposed ridges and summits at the mid and upper elevations. This is ahead of a cold front expected to arrive by early afternoon.

Today: Temperatures will rise only a few degrees and light snowfall is possible this morning, with steady snowfall beginning early afternoon. Winds will remain strong as they veer from south to west, and finally northwest by early evening. The rain/snow line will start around 7,000' and drop through the day, with periods of heavy snowfall possible this afternoon. 6-10 inches of new snow is expected by Saturday morning.

This Weekend: Sunny with seasonable - finally! - temperatures through the weekend. We may see some light snow showers mid-week, with an active weather pattern possibly returning by late week.

Recent Avalanches

Derek DeBruin and Cage Vigil have submitted observations of avalanche activity from this past week along Ben Lomond.

Observations and Avalanches

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Although the relentless winds over the past six days may have finally run out of loose snow to transport, today's winds will have new snow to work with, and you can expect fresh drifts to form on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. Any fresh wind drifts may fail at the existing snow surface, or on slopes facing northwest through east, step down 1-3 feet into buried weak layers.

Cornices have grown large over the past week and continue to be sensitive - be well back from the edge when traveling on corniced ridgelines.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

The new snow may be reactive by this afternoon, especially during any period of high precipitation intensity. Watch for cracking as an indication of sensitive soft slabs of new storm and/or wind-drifted snow, such as the photo below from Mark White.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

There are two buried persistent weak layers (PWL) in the snowpack:

1. The upper layer buried down 12-18 inches that formed during cold, clear weather in late January and has been buried by recent storm and wind-drifted snow. Many recent avalanches involving wind slabs are failing at this layer.

2. The lower layer, near the ground, has been spotty and inconsistent, but Monday's avalanche accident in the Monte Cristo area failed on facets near the ground.

General Announcements

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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.

Observations and Avalanches

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