Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Dave Kelly on
Saturday morning, March 15, 2025

There is a CONSIDERABLE avalanche danger in upper elevation northwest-north-east facing terrain where you are likely to trigger a new or wind-drifted snow avalanche that could be up to 1' deep and 150' wide.

The avalanche danger is MODERATE in other upper elevation and in mid-elevation terrain and LOW in the lower elevation terrain where it will be less likely to trigger a wind-drifted snow avalanche, but still possible to trigger a soft slab avalanche failing in the newest snow.

Look for and avoid areas of wind-drifted snow such as pillowy, rounded slopes, or ridgeline features with new cornices. Only expose one traveler at a time to steep slopes (greater than 30°) and practice good travel protocols.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Currently, under overcast skies it is snowing lightly. Temperatures are in the high teen's to low 20's °F and winds are blowing from the west in the 20's gusting to the 40's MPH. Some weather stations at the highest ridgelines may be rimed and showing lower wind speeds. We have had anywhere from 3" to 7" of snow in the last 24-hours which brings storm totals to 10"-16" of snow and 1.10"-1.75" of water weight.

For today, under mostly cloudy skies look for temperatures to be 28-34°F. Winds will blow from the west-southwest at the lower ridgelines 15 gusting to 20 MPH and from the west-northwest 30 gusting to 40 MPH at the highest ridgelines. Look for 3"-6" of new snow with .30"- .50" of water during the day. There could be periods of increased snowfall rates of up to 1" an hour with the chance of lightning. If this were the case then some areas could hit the higher end of snowfall numbers if not go over.

The trick in March is to get the new snow before the sun does regardless of air temperatures. Read more from T's observation from Cutler Ridge HERE.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday, we had no reports of avalanches from the Ogden Forecast Region.

Check out all recent avalanches and observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

There is new snow at all elevations that is primed for transport. While wind-drifted snow will be a bigger issue in the higher elevation terrain don't discount seeing shallow soft drifts in mid-elevation terrain. If you see cracking, feel collapsing, or see signs such as new cornices or pillowy wind loaded features then avoid traveling on or underneath these areas of wind-drifted snow.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Do not be surprised to see or trigger shallow new snow avalanches failing on density changes within the storm snow. These new snow avalanches may only be 3"-6" deep, but in steep terrain with a long vertical run this could entrain more than enough snow to bury a person.

With any hint of March sun even for a moment, regardless of air temperatures we could see wet loose rollerballs, roof slides, and form a crust on the snow surface. Check out the new/old snow interfaces as you're traveling before committing to being under or traveling in steep avalanche terrain.

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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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