In keeping with my previous annual posts, here's the satellite imagery of snow on the ground as we head into the season (or at least snow this weekend).

The red lines in the images are approximate contour lines for 8500ft and 7000ft, which differentiate Ogden's upper, mid, and low elevation bands. The outside edge of each image is the low elevation band, the inner part of each image is the upper elevations, with mid between the red lines. Indicated in blue are some well known landmarks, zones, etc. to help identify the features in the satellite imagery. The entire Ogden skyline is posted here from north to south: Ben Lomond, Chilly Peak, Lewis Peak, and Mount Ogden (images include names of the massif in the lower left corner).

Based on recent obs, telemetry, and satellite snow depths, snow on the ground in the upper elevations maxes out around 20-24", down to about 16" at the mid elevation ridge lines. These same ridgelines seem to really be the only locations where there is snow around the compass--there is plenty of brown to see in these images. Given the current top-to-bottom facets on the polars, it seems likely many of the upper elevation and plenty of the mid elevation terrain with enough snow to travel will be a dangerous proposition for quite some time (Cutler Headwall, Zero G, Banana Chute, Hell's Canyon, etc.). The mid elevation protected terrain is likely not much better. I doubt the "safety" of trees and small slopes offers much other than psychological protection in places such as the North Ogden Divide, Rodeo Ridge, Cutler Ridge, etc. I would not be surprised to see plenty of avalanche activity with the storm Saturday evening if it plays out as currently forecasted.