Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball
Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills On-Snow Courses Resources and Tutorials
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Brett Kobernik
Issued by Brett Kobernik on
Wednesday morning, December 4, 2013

Overall, the avalanche danger is MODERATE. There are areas with a CONSIDERABLE danger in the upper elevation northwest through northeast facing slopes approaching 40 degrees in steepness. Human triggered avalanches are likely in these locations, natural avalanches are not expected.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
Learn how to read the forecast here
Weather and Snow

Temperatures continue downward with readings in the single digits and below zero. Winds remain light from the northwest. Snow totals in the Ogden area are about 12" . (red line is temperature in the chart)

Recent Avalanches

No avalanche activity was reported from the Ogden area mountains. In the Salt Lake region, the new snow was fairly active on Tuesday with lots of cracking and a number of shallow avalanches reported also. These involved weakness within the new snow for the most part but a couple of avalanches did remove all of the new snow exposing the previous faceted snow surface. I would expect some similarities in the Ogden area.

Date Region Place Trigger Depth Width Aspect Elevation Weakness
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Park City Ski Resort Skier 8" 60 North 9600 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Park City Ridgeline Skier 16" 80 Northeast 9400 Facets Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Evergreen Ridge Skier 12" 60 Northeast 9200 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Scotts Bowl Natural 10" 50 North 9800 Facets Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Dog Lake Chutes Skier 4" 35 Northeast 9700 Density Change Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Evergreen Ridge Skier 12" 100 Northwest 9800 New Snow/Old Snow Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake Salt Lake Snow Bike 6" 25 Southwest 5100 Ground Interface Details
12/3/2013 Salt Lake 10420 Natural 4" 400 Northeast 10200 Density Change Details

Ad
Avalanche Problem #1
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

Even though the now buried faceted snow didn't seem to be all that reactive to the new load on Tuesday, I place this avalanche problem as the biggest concern today. I don't feel that the faceted snow has really showed it's cards yet. Very low density new snow and lack of wind are contributors to keeping the persistent weakness at bay. However, betting on facets to not avalanche is a loosing hand.

Avalanche Problem #2
New Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

The new snow should be less sensitive today after a night of settlement. This avalanche problem is fairly easy to manage as it is quick to show it's cards with cracking and instant results on small steep test slopes. Poke and prod any small steep slope to get a feel if the new snow is still sensitive.

Additional Information

It'll be cold today with temperatures remaining in the single digits and light northwest winds. Expect some clouds to move in with the chance of snow flurries with no significant accumulation. Cold temperatures and chances for flurries continue Thursday and Friday with another storm moving in on Saturday which may give us some more snow accumulation.

General Announcements

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.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort Dispatch (435-615-3322)

Twitter Updates for your mobile phone - DETAILS

UDOT canyon closures: LINK TO UDOT

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.

We'll soon be lining up a new automated emailed advisory delivery system - stay tuned.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day. They'll be up and running later this winter -

Discount lift tickets are now available at Backcountry.com - Thanks to Ski Utah and the Utah Resorts. All proceeds go towards paying for Utah Avalanche Center avalanche and mountain weather advisories.

To those skinning uphill at resorts: it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel. Some allow uphill travel and have guidelines, some don't. Contact the Ski Patrol at each resort for details. IMPORTANT: Before skinning at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol. Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI: Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC. Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you buy or sell on ebay - set the Utah Avalanche Center as a favorite non-profit in your ebay account here and click on ebay gives when you buy or sell. You can choose to have your seller fees donated to the UAC, which doesn't cost you a penny.

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

Next forecast >