Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Tuesday - February 18, 2014 - 7:13am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE. Large and dangerous human triggered avalanches are likely on steep slopes that face west through north through east. Give the snow some more time to settle before chancing it.
current conditions

Somewhat gusty southwest winds on Monday blew the snow around a bit above 9500 feet. They are still in the moderate speed category but have slowed a bit along the upper ridges over the last few hours. Temperatures didn't get as cold overnight as the previous night, only into the upper 20s to around 30. The clear night should have allowed for decent radiational cooling of the snowpack though and it should have remained fairly locked up in the areas that have had a melt-freeze cycle.
recent activity

No new avalanche activity was reported from Monday. We will continue to uncover avalanches from the significant avalanche cycle over the last 10 days. Here are some examples from the North Davis County mountains near Thurston Peak: DETAILS

Photo: Brandon Everett
Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Things are calming down but are far from being safe. Numerous slopes have not yet avalanched and may only need you as the trigger. While the avalanche danger is not as bad as it has been, in no way should you trust any steep slope that hasn't avalanched.

Here is my personal plan for upcoming backcountry recreation:

  • Prowl around in lower angle terrain for a bit to get a feel for what has gone on. Let the snowpack settle for a little time still. Confirm what we've been thinking and look for anything that has been overlooked.
  • Dig down to our old weak layers and look for increasing hand hardness which indicates more bonding. With all the weight of the new snow, this will happen to a certain extent. It is unclear if it will happen enough for us to feel comfortable in saying those layers will not avalanche anymore. I suspect we haven't seen the last of them.
  • Investigate slopes that have avalanched. Take note of the condition of the bed surface and if there is any weak snow left. In the absence of old weak snow and/or a firm bed surface, I will feel pretty good about these slopes in that I will just have to watch for instability within any new snow events. Most likely, these slopes that have avalanched are where I will do my steep skiing for the remainder of the winter.
Avalanche Problem 2
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Continue to avoid areas with recent deposits of wind drifted snow. These may be sensitive still but also will enhance the chance for triggering a deep slab.
weather

We should see partly cloudy skies today with temperatures not quite as warm as Monday with highs around freezing at 8000 feet and upper 20s along the ridges. Westerly winds will continue in the moderate speed range. We are anticipating a storm which will bring snow and colder temperatures Wednesday afternoon. Currently thinking around 1/2" of water weight which would translate to 4 to 8 inches of snow. This looks like kind of a windy storm from the northwest.
general announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please participate in the creation of our own community avalanche advisory by submitting snow and avalanche conditions. You can also call us at 801-524-5304 or 800-662-4140, email by clicking HERE, or include #utavy in your tweet or Instagram.

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 and Park City – Alta Central (801-742-2033), Canyons Resort Dispatch (435-615-3322)

Snowbasin Resort Dispatch (801-620-1017), Powder Mountain Dispatch (801-745-3772 x 123).

Sundance Dispatch (801-223-4150)

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DAWN PATROL Hotline updated daily by 5-530am - 888-999-4019 option 8.

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UDOT canyon closures:  LINK TO UDOT

Utah Avalanche Center mobile app - Get your advisory on your iPhone along with great navigation and rescue tools.uned.

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day.  

Lost or Found something in the backcountry? - http://nolofo.com/

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To those skinning uphill at resorts:  it is your responsibility to know the resort policy on uphill travel.  Some allow uphill travel and have guidelines, some don't. Contact the Ski Patrol at each resort for details. IMPORTANT: Before skinning at a resort under new snow conditions, check in with Ski Patrol.  Resorts can restrict or cut off access if incompatible with control and grooming operations.

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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 exist.