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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Trent Meisenheimer
Issued by Trent Meisenheimer on
Monday morning, December 9, 2019
Areas of MODERATE danger still exist on upper elevation northerly facing slopes for triggering an avalanche that breaks into old faceted snow. Recent warm weather has strengthened the snowpack, but triggering an avalanche on old weak snow near the ground remains possible.
MODERATE danger exists for wind drifted snow at all mid and upper elevations where fresh drifts of wind blown snow could avalanche. Look for and avoid rounded, pillowy looking snow on any steep slope.
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Weather and Snow
As the weekend storm comes to an end and spins off to our east we will continue to see scattered snow showers throughout the day. The 24 hr snow totals are generally 2-8" of snow containing 0.4-0.72" of water. The northerly winds are currently blowing 15-25 mph gusting into the 30's at upper elevations. Below the ridgelines the winds are blowing 5-15 mph gusting into the low 20's. Upper elevation temperatures are in the upper teens °F while the lower trailhead temps hover in the upper 20's °F
Dense, spongy, graupel laden snow was laid down yesterday morning improving the riding conditions on almost all aspects and elevations. Low angle terrain will be surfy and fast.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanche activity was reported from the Ogden area. Yesterday in the Wasatch range, we had a report that a skier triggered a slab avalanche on Square Top along the Park City Ridgeline. The avalanche was 120' wide and 20" deep. No injures. Check out all the current observations HERE.
Our neighbors to the east in Colorado just reported an avalanche fatality on South Diamond Peak. The avalanche was described as 2 to 3 feet deep, very wide, and running close to 500 feet vertically. She was caught and fully buried. Members in her group performed the rescue and recovered her from the snow, but she did not survive.
In the Bear River Range just north of the border into Idaho, two snowmobilers on Saturday were caught and carried with one partial burial in an avalanche but ended up ok. INFO.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Long time patroller and observer Doug Wewer also found the suspect old snow up high in northerly terrain on Saturday and you'll see his snow pit below. Full propagation in tests is not a good sign and yet it hasn't correlated to any avalanches, cracking or collapsing of this layering. It warrants caution and those choosing steep northerly terrain should choose terrain that won't kill you if this old October snow roars to life. Across the valley, observer Mike Fogg also found this suspect layering react in snowpits. Forecaster, Mark Staples was also in the Ogden area yesterday and in his snowpit found old weak. His test score also had full propagation like in the video below.
All observations can be found here -
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Sensitive drifts of wind blown snow have been created by northerly winds. For the past 24 hrs the northwest wind has been relentless, blowing at average speeds of 10-15 mph gusting into the 30's across the upper elevations. These drifts could be a foot or more deep at the higher elevations. On slopes with hard, slick sun crusts the graupel snow from yesterday might act as the weak layer allowing the new snow to crack and propagate (see video HERE).
Test slopes and quick hand pits often provide some clue to the situation. Look for and avoid these slabs of wind drifted snow on steep slopes. Wind drifts often look, rounded, smooth, and cracky. If you see a slope that’s been scoured or eroded, think about where the snow may have been deposited.
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