Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Dave Kelly on
Sunday morning, March 31, 2024

Today, the avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE in upper elevation terrain where humans are likely to trigger wind-drifted snow avalanches. The avalanche danger is MODERATE in mid elevation terrain and LOW in lower elevation terrain where it will still be possible to trigger avalanches failing within new or wind-drifted snow.

Today, use careful snowpack evaluation and cautious route finding when you are near or approaching exposed ridge-tops or areas where strong winds have transported new snow. Avalanches travel in packs, so if you see signs of instability, it is time to back off and choose lower angle terrain.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Currently, under overcast skies light snow is falling. We have had 3"-6" new snow with .30"-.50" water overnight, which brings the most recent storm totals to 6"-16" of snow and .6"-1.40" water. Temperatures are in the low 30's °F. Winds at the lower elevations are blowing from the south-southwest in the teens gusting to the mid 20's MPH and at the 9,000 ridge-line winds are blowing from the south-southwest in the high teen's gusting to the 40's MPH.

Today, skies will be overcast, temperatures should be 36-40°F, with winds blowing from the south-southwest 20 gusting to 25 MPH at the lower ridge-lines and 30 gusting to 40 MPH at the highest ridge-lines. Look for 2"-5" of snow with .30"-.5" of water. The freezing level will start around 7,000' and drop throughout the day. There is a 15% chance of lightning and any strong frontal passages could bring periods of increased precipitation.

Our partners at the National Weather Service have issued a Winter Weather Advisory from now until midnight on Sunday March 31st.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday, there were no reports from the Ogden Area Forecast Zone. Ski area operations reported sensitive slabs of wind-drifted snow near ridge-tops and wet-loose avalanches in lower elevation terrain below 8,000'.

Check out all avalanches and observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Continued moderate to strong winds overnight have created sensitive soft slabs of wind-drifted snow at the mid and upper elevations. Today, wind-drifted snow avalanches will be stiffer than they were yesterday and may start to break above you. While this problem will be more prevalent at the upper elevations, exposed ridge-tops below 8,500' will still see areas of wind-drifted snow. Avalanches involving wind-drifted snow may be over 2' deep and up to 150' wide.

Sensitive cornices can be found along many exposed ridgelines at the mid and upper elevations. Avoid traveling on or below corniced ridgelines as a cornice collapse could trigger a new or wind-drifted snow avalanche.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Triggering an avalanche involving sluffing or soft slabs of new snow is possible on all steep slopes.

Now that we are towards the end of March if any sun comes out at all expect to see rapid heating of the snow surface and new dry loose avalanches quickly turning to wet loose avalanches. With a freezing level hovering around 7,000' wet loose new snow avalanches are possible and areas that did not have a good refreeze overnight are more susceptible to wet snow avalanches throughout the day.

Additional Information

In 2004, local avalanche researcher Ian McCammon wrote a pivotal paper discussing the Human Factors or how we contribute to the avalanche triangle. These FACETS are worth thinking about all the time, but I find them especially relevant as we head into springtime. Read the full article HERE.

Illustration: Mike Clelland

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.

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