Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Evelyn Lees for Friday - January 16, 2015 - 7:19am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE today as the increasing winds blow snow into sensitive drifts. These cracky wind drifts will be most widespread on the north through easterly facing slopes, in the upper elevation terrain. Avoid all steep slopes with drifts of wind blown snow.

Go to terrain: wind sheltered, northerly facing slopes will have that combo of soft powder and lower avalanche danger.




current conditions

Clouds and winds are on the increase this morning ahead of a disturbance that is passing to our north. Currently, most mountain stations in the Ogden area mountains have temperatures in the mid 20s to mid 30s, and the southwesterly winds across the highest peaks have had periods with averages in the 20 to 30 mph range.

Mid and upper elevation shady, northerly facing slopes have retained excellent soft powder in the Ogden area mountains (see photo below), with some of the southeast through westerly facing slopes covered in breakable crusts that will not soften today.

recent activity

The largest slide reported yesterday was another new glide avalanche in Broads Fork in Big Cottonwood Canyon - 3 feet deep by 200' wide. Other than that, only minor avalanche activity was reported from the Ogden area mountains - a very small wet sluff and a super small soft wind drift 10' across.

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

Deepening wind slabs along ridgelines and in upper elevation terrain are the number one avalanche concern for today. The southwesterly winds will increase this morning, and be blowing in the 30 to 40 mph range across the highest terrain by around noon, when they will shift to the west and maintain their speeds.

All that light powder will be fast to drift into sensitive slabs, and these drifts could become quite reactive by afternoon, and even be triggered remotely. The drifts will be widespread along ridge lines and in open bowls at the upper elevations, and more scattered at the mid elevations. If you’re in the wind zone, identify the new wind drifts by any signs of cracking or collapsing, by their pillowy and wavy shapes and stay well back from the new cornices that will be growing.

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

Out of the wind-affected terrain, the avalanche danger is mostly LOW today. But stay focused on the details - minimize your exposure in areas where glide avalanches may or have been occurring (currently Broads Fork) and be prepared for sluffs on the very steep, shady slopes or scattered wind drifts in the mid elevation terrain if wind speeds increase enough.

weather

A storm passing to the north will push a cold front through northern Utah this afternoon. Clouds will increase throughout the day, with a chance for light snow by late afternoon. 10,000’ temperatures will cool throughout the day, into the mid 20s. 8000’ temperatures will peak in the mid 30s. The southwesterly to westerly winds will steadily increase, with many stations having 20 mph averages by afternoon, and the highest peaks averaging 30 to 40 mph. 1-3” of snow is possible tonight south of I-80, with 2 to 5” possible north of I-80. Winds will shift to the northwest and slowly decrease after midnight. Another weak disturbance could bring a few inches of snow on Monday.

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, 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, or on Twitter, follow @UDOTavy, @CanyonAlerts or @AltaCentral

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

Wasatch Powderbird Guides Blog/Itinerary for the Day.  

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

Ski Utah mobile snow updates

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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.