Ogden Avalanche Advisory

Forecaster: Brett Kobernik

BOTTOM LINE

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


Danger Rose Tutorial

There is a mostly Level 1 (LOW) danger unless you are poking around the mid and upper elevation wind effected ridges where there remains a pockety Level 2 (MODERATE) danger for triggering a wind slab. The most likely spots are on slopes of 35 degrees or steeper that face north through east through south however watch any terrain feature that may be crossloaded with a pillowy looking snow feature.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

We have mostly clear skies with temperatures in the teens and light west winds. Some wind drifting occurred from the northwest on Wednesday along the highest ridgelines but things were quiet avalanche wise. Excellent settled soft snow remains out of wind and sun effected areas with the surface loosening due to near surface facet growth (Paper 1, Paper 2) and surface hoar.

THREAT #1
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

We have a generally Level 1 (LOW) avalanche danger in most areas but you still need to pay attention out there. Many people have been getting out into more obscure terrain and often this puts them along upper elevation ridges which is the most likely place to find a recent wind drift that may release. I doubt temperatures will heat the snow enough to do much but pay attention if you’re on steep low and mid elevation southerly aspects later in the day. Normal caution means you operate the same as you always do in the backcountry, always assessing changing snow conditions from place to place, continuing to look for clues of changing conditions like hollow sounding pillows along ridges or pinwheels indicating heating. Pay attention to the loosening snow surface for reference during the next storm and let us know what you’re seeing by submitting backcountry observations.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

We’ll see mostly clear skies today with ridgetop temperatures in the mid to upper 20s and light northwesterly winds. It’s an excellent day to prowl around in the mountains but watch those wind slabs in the exposed upper elevation terrain. Looks like Friday will be similar to today and a few clouds rolling through Saturday. The storm for Saturday night is not looking as impressive as it was a day or so ago but may still produce a little snow. Looks like possibly a better chance for snow mid week next week.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry - especially if you are adjacent to a ski area – please call the following teams 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.

Salt Lake – Alta Central (801-742-2033)

Ogden – Snowbasin Patrol Dispatch (801-620-1017)

Provo – Sundance Patrol Dispatch (801-223-4150)

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.

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

UDOT canyon closures UDOT at (801) 975-4838

You have the opportunity to participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting avalanche and snow observations. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, or email by clicking HERE

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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.