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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Wednesday morning, February 12, 2025
The avalanche danger is rated as MODERATE on upper-elevation slopes facing east, northeast, north, and northwest, where isolated soft slab avalanches of wind-drifted snow and loose-sluffs are possible.
In some steep, northerly-facing terrain, these avalanches may step down to deeper, buried weak layers of faceted snow, increasing the potential for larger, more dangerous slides.
Low
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Learn how to read the forecast here
Special Announcements
It’s been a tough few weeks for the backcountry community, with too many close calls and heartbreaking losses. Our thoughts are with everyone affected—this is a tight-knit group, and these tragedies hit hard.
As more details come in, accident reports will continue to be updated and published. If you have a moment, consider reading through one or more of them.
  • A preliminary report on Saturday’s avalanche fatality in the East Bowl of Silver Fork can be found [HERE].
  • The full report on the February 3rd avalanche fatality on Monte Cristo (Ogden Mountains) is published [HERE].
  • The accident report detailing the full and partial burial close call in Dutch Draw (Park City ridgeline) from Saturday is available [HERE].
Weather and Snow
This morning, temperatures are between -0°F and -10, not factoring in wind chill. Winds out of the west and even southwest and have been steady overnight, averaging 10–15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph at mid-elevations and 30 mph gusting to 40 mph at the highest ridgelines. Lake-enhanced snowfall continued overnight, with up to 2 inches of light, low-density snow.
Today, temperatures will rise to 5–10°F. Light snow showers may linger this afternoon before tapering off as drier air moves in. Winds will remain westerly through Wednesday, shifting even more southwest early Thursday morning. Wind speeds will average 5–10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph at mid-elevations and 20 mph with gusts of 30 mph at the highest ridgelines.
The forecast calls for a long-duration storm with significant snowfall, bringing 15–28 inches between February 13th and 16th. Snow will begin in the Northern Wasatch by Thursday afternoon and continue through Saturday, with the heaviest snowfall expected late Thursday into Friday morning as a system adds instability.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches were reported in the Ogden backcountry Tuesday. As winds and a bit of snowfall ramped up yesterday afternoon, ski resorts reported sensitive wind slabs forming at upper and mid-elevations.
Observations and Avalanches
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Avalanche Problem #1
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The snowpack is complex for this time of year, with up to two buried weak layers, one from early season and another from late January. The most suspect slopes will be those that have already avalanched—known as repeaters—and are continuing to reload.
Long time backcountry skier Bill Brandt took a closer look at the snowpack on an upper-elevation northwest-facing slope, and after assessing it, decided it wasn’t safe, opting instead for a different slope. See his observation HERE.
Avalanche Problem #2
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Increased winds overnight have created conditions where shallow hard or soft slabs of wind-drifted snow may be triggered, particularly on steep north, east-facing slopes. Watch for pillow-shaped deposits and signs of instability like shooting cracks, collapsing, and overhanging cornices.
On shaded slopes outside the wind zone, new snow may still be sensitive in steep terrain, with soft slabs possible.
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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