Ogden Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Evelyn Lees

BOTTOM LINE

Danger by aspect and elevation on slopes approaching 35° or steeper.
(click HERE for tomorrow's danger rating)


Danger Rose Tutorial

The avalanche danger is generally LOW this morning, but will increase to MODERATE as the new snow piles up – sluffs and soft slabs will become easier to trigger on steep slopes, especially in wind drifted areas or during periods of high snowfall rates. Wet avalanches are a decreasing concern, but still possible to trigger anywhere the snow is still wet and punchy, particularly on lower elevation, northerly facing slopes. With more snow in the forecast, the avalanche danger will continue to increase through Friday.


CURRENT CONDITIONS

The dusty, grimy winds finally died down yesterday evening, and 1 to 3” of snow has fallen in the mountains, burying a layer of west desert dust on many slopes. Temperatures have cooled into the teens along the ridgelines, and into the low 20s at the mid and low elevations. Mid elevation winds are averaging 5 to 10 mph and at exposed stations speeds have increased to 25 mph, mostly from a southerly direction.


RECENT ACTIVITY

No reports from the backcountry yesterday – either wisely no one was out, or they blew away.


THREAT #1

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

Not much happening this morning, but as the new snow piles up later today and tonight, and wind speeds increase, the avalanche danger will rise. Density inversions within the new snow are possible this afternoon, and higher wind speeds and precipitation rates are expected. So on steep slopes, expect first sluffs to occur, then soft slabs later in the day. In many places, the snow is landing on slick crusts and hard wind board, so slides could run further than expected. While these new snow slides should be fairly small and manageable today, be on your toes and stay above, not in any slide. Also, there are a few old wind slabs from yesterday hidden beneath the new snow at mid and upper elevations, off the ridgelines, that should be avoided.


THREAT #2

WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

While temperatures have cooled, refreezing of the low elevation snowpack will lag behind, and the snow will stay soggy today, especially anywhere that got a shot of rain. So it is still possible to trigger a wet, loose sluff in very steep terrain, especially in shallow snowpack areas and the mid and lower elevation northerly facing slopes. Definitely stay out of terrain traps such as gullies. Glide avalanche continue to be a concern, so avoid travel below the rock slabs in places like Broads Fork and Mineral Slabs.


MOUNTAIN WEATHER

A major trough developing over the western US will bring snow to the mountains through Thursday. Snowfall rates will gradually increase this afternoon and tonight, with 5 to 8” possible today, and another 5 to 8” tonight. Periods of heavy snowfall are possible this afternoon, with increasing densities. Winds should be from a southerly direction, and increase into the 5 to 15 mph range by afternoon, with the highest peaks averaging 15 to 25 mph, with gusts to 45 mph. Temperatures will be near 30 at 8,000’ and near 20 at 10,000’. Periods of snow will continue through Thursday night, with storm totals by noon Friday in the 20 to 30” range in the Salt Lake mountains, and 12 to 20” in the Provo, Ogden and Park City mountains.


GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

The ability to deal with medical emergencies is a vital backcountry travel skill. On April 9-11, Utah Wilderness Safety will be conducting a Wilderness & Remote First Aid course in SLC. As an added bonus, WMS has agreed to donate a percent of the class proceeds to the FUAC. For more details, go to our events calendar or www.utahwildernesssafety.com/FIRST-AID.html.

SLC: Please contact Alta Central (801-742-2033) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry, especially if you are adjacent to a ski area, to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Ogden: Please contact Snowbasin ski patrol (801620-1000/1017) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry, especially if you are adjacent to a ski area, to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Provo: Please contact Sundance ski patrol (801 -223-4150) if you trigger a large avalanche in the backcountry, especially if you are adjacent to a ski area, to alert them to the slide and whether anyone is missing or not. Rescue teams can be exposed to significant hazard when responding to avalanches, and do not want to do so when unneeded. Thanks.

Discount Lift tickets: Ski Utah, Backcountry.com and the local resorts donated lift tickets, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Utah Avalanche Center. To get the last few tickets left for Park City, Beaver Mountain, and Sundance – click here at discounted prices.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides flight plan.

Dawn Patrol Forecast Hotline, updated by 05:30:888-999-4019 option 8.

Daily observations are frequently posted by 10 pm each evening.

Free UAC iPhone app from Canyon Sports.

Subscribe to the daily avalanche advisory e-mail click HERE.

UDOT canyon closures UDOT at (801) 975-4838

We appreciate all your avalanche and snow observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, or fill out the observation form on our home page.

Donate to your favorite non-profit – The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center. The UAC depends on contributions from users like you to support our work.

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

We will update this forecast tomorrow morning. Thanks for calling.


This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done.  This advisory is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.


This advisory provided by the USDA Forest Service, in partnership with:

The Friends of the Utah Avalanche Center, Utah Division of State Parks and Recreation, Utah Division of Emergency Management, Salt Lake County, Salt Lake Unified Fire Authority and the friends of the La Sal Avalanche Center. See our Sponsors Page for a complete list.