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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Monday morning, December 2, 2019
Areas of CONSIDERABLE danger exist on upper elevation northwest to easterly facing slopes. Large and dangerous avalanche conditions exist on many of these slopes. Areas of MODERATE danger exist for wind drifts on many aspects and elevations and should be avoided. The safest and best riding today will be found on low angle sun and wind sheltered slopes with nothing steeper above.
The amplified winds have also pushed the danger for wind drifts on many lee slopes and should be avoided in steep terrain today.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Special Announcements
The First Annual Statewide Avalanche Awareness Week is December 2-7. We have a week full of fun and educational events planned. Check out the schedule here.
Drew Hardesty released the first UAC podcast of the season " Early Season Essentials with Program Director Bo Torrey" check it out HERE.
Weather and Snow
We'll remember this storm. We were on track for the driest November on record but now we're back on track. Storm totals of 40-50" over the Thankgiving week(end) made all the difference and excellent coverage for this time of year exists at all elevations. Two feet exists at the trailheads with nearly 4' up high. Sun and wind had their way with the more exposed terrain; however excellent conditions may still be found on the sheltered shady slopes.
Currently, skies are mostly cloudy with west-southwest winds blowing 15-20mph although they were punishing yesterday afternoon and overnight, gusting to near 60 up high. Video clip from the Cutler ridge yestrerday.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported from the ski resorts or the Ogden backcountry yesterday.
A number of recent observations can be found here.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
A conditionally unstable snowpack exists on steep upper elevation northwest to easterly facing terrain. One large booming collapse confirms what information our snow tests provided on shady terrain above about 8500' yesterday. Greg Gagne points out the structure in the Snowbasin backcountry below. I found similar conditions along the upper Cutler ridge yesterday and Powder Mtn snow safety teams found similar, poor structure as well. This structure is not to be trusted. These are tricky avalanche conditions - avalanches may be triggered from below.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Both soft and hard wind drifts are prevalent in the mid and upper elevation northerly to easterly aspects but otherwise scattered across the compass. Avoid smooth rounded and/or chalky scallops of snow. Drifts may be well off the ridgelines. Cornices are growing along the ridgelines and should be avoided.
Additional Information
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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.
Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.
To get help in an emergency (to request a rescue) in the Wasatch, call 911. Be prepared to give your GPS coordinates or the run name. Dispatchers have a copy of the Wasatch Backcountry Ski map.
Backcountry Emergencies. It outlines your step-by-step method in the event of a winter backcountry incident.
If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, but no one is hurt and you do not need assistance, please notify the nearest ski area dispatch to avoid a needless response by rescue teams. Thanks.
  • Salt Lake and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort/PCMR Dispatch (435-615-1911)
  • Ogden - Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123)
  • Provo - Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)
General Announcements
CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ
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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