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

Most terrain has a low avalanche danger. The danger increases above 9000 feet on the northerly facing terrain. If you screw around with steep slopes in this terrain keep in mind that they’re the most likely spots to release. Watch for isolated areas where recent drifts have formed. Indicators to avalanche danger are cracking and or collapsing underfoot. Also, stiff hollow sounding snow with sugary cohesion-less grains underneath.

CURRENT CONDITIONS

The mountains received just a trace to a couple of inches of new snow overnight with light northerly winds and temperatures in the single digits above 9500 feet or so. There’s now a few inches of fluff over a variable old snow surface consisting of wind crusts, sun crusts and loose faceted snow.

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

The recent winds and new snow don’t seem to have changed avalanche conditions much. My biggest concern remains finding a pocket that may break into older weak snow, although I do think you have to hunt around to find an avalanche. Northerly facing terrain above 9500 feet is the most likely spots to trigger something. One of our top observers, Greg Gagne put it well in his observation from Silver Fork the other day: “Overall we were seeing poor structure (4 or 5 lemons), moderate strength, and low energy in the slab.” “Poor structure” refers to the weak faceted snow near the ground which sits under a slab. “Moderate strength” means the weak layer has some strength but not all that good. “Low energy” suggests that the slab doesn’t want to crack or propagate right now. This is exactly how I see it. It’s not terrifying as it sits but far from ideal.

THREAT #2
WHERE PROBABILITY SIZE TREND
      Over the next 24 hours.

The winds seem to have hit the Ogden area mountains more then the Salt Lake and Provo areas. While I have not heard of any activity nor received any observations, I'd be a bit more cautious in the Ogden area mountains in dealing with recent wind drifts.

MOUNTAIN WEATHER

Skies should break a bit as the day progresses and we’ll see cool temperatures with 8000 foot highs only in the upper teens and lower teens along the ridges. Winds should remain light from the north with possibly a slight easterly component to them. We’ll see another weak impulse move through on Sunday afternoon bringing another dusting and continued cold temperatures. Things clear out and look dry for the remainder of the 7 day model run.

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)

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

Daily observations are frequently posted by 10 pm each evening.

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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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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.