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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Drew Hardesty
Issued by Drew Hardesty on
Monday morning, January 15, 2024
THE AVALANCHE DANGER IS HIGH. DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS EXIST. AVOID BEING ON OR BENEATH STEEP TERRAIN OF ALL ELEVATIONS.
Natural and human triggered avalanches remain likely today. Remember that avalanches can be triggered at a distance or from the flats well below a slope. Skiing and riding out of bounds is stepping into HIGH danger.
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Avalanche Warning
The avalanche danger for the warning area is HIGH for the mountains of northern and central Utah and southeast Idaho, which includes the Wasatch Range...the Bear River Range...Uinta Mountains...Manti-Skyline plateau...and the mountains of southwestern Utah.
Strong winds and heavy snowfall have created dangerous avalanche conditions. Avalanches failing on a widespread persistent weak layer buried under the new snow are very likely. Avoid all avalanche terrain.
This avalanche warning is in effect from through Tuesday at 6:00am.
Weather and Snow
Skies are mostly cloudy. Mountain temperatures are in the upper teens to low 20s. Winds are from the west-northwest, blowing 20-30mph with gusts to 60.
Storm totals so far: (snow/snow-water-equivalent)
  • LCC: 85"/6.75" SWE
  • BCC: 66"/5.45" SWE
  • PC: 50"/4.4" SWE
  • Ogden: 50-70"/4.5-5.5" SWE
  • Provo: 60"/5.69" SWE
For today, we'll have mostly cloudy skies with temps in the 20s. Winds will blow from the northwest 20-30mph. We will get a bit of a break tomorrow ahead of another storm for Wednesday. Another potentially significant storm is on tap for the weekend.
With this storm, we are back on track - most areas are at or above "median" snow-water for the year.
Recent Avalanches
Large and destructive natural avalanches roared down Saturday night into early Sunday with periods of natural avalanches running yesterday mid-morning. Many of these avalanches were 2-4'+ deep and hundreds of feet wide and noted on a variety of aspects and elevations. Winds and avalanche conditions were so extreme that some roads and operations struggled to open if they opened at all.
Many old-timers are scratching their heads, wondering if they have ever seen an avalanche "here" or "there". The takehome is that avalanches are occurring in unusual terrain.
Avalanches were running within the new snow, avalanches were failing on the December layer of facets. Some have even stepped down to near the ground.
Since Friday, we have heard about two full avalanche burials (Main Porter, American Fork) with rumors of a third; all recovered by partners or bystanders. We've also heard of many more skiers and riders being caught and carried; again with a good outcome. Tragically, a skier was killed in an avalanche in Wyoming yesterday (Details).
Thanks to the many observers who sent us photos of activity yesterday in the north fork toward Ben Lomond - some below -
photo:c lech
Be sure to check all the avalanche activity HERE
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Triggering avalanches 2-4'+ down to the December layer of facets is likely today. Natural avalanches are also likely. Our poor structure exists on nearly all aspects and elevations and THERE REALLY IS NO PLACE TO HIDE AND THERE IS NO OUTSMARTING THESE CONDITIONS except to stay on and below low angle terrain. Please keep in mind that many of these avalanches are what I'd call backyard avalanches that occur near roads and trailheads. Cracking and collapsing may or may not exist today.
Trend: steady.
Travel Advice: Avoid being on or beneath steep terrain.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Continued winds have drifted the snow into soft and hard slabs on predominantly north to east to south facing slopes. Terrain channeling and very strong wind speeds, however, will have deposited these slabs onto many aspects and well down the slope. Any wind slab may step down into our PWL layers, making a much more dangerous avalanche.
Trend: steady.
Travel Advice: Avoid being on or beneath steep terrain.
General Announcements
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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