Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Brett Kobernik for Wednesday - February 24, 2016 - 7:21am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is generally LOW in the majority of the terrain. Rogue shallow soft slabs perhaps can be found again in very steep upper elevation terrain. If wind speeds increase, anticipate the potential for fresh sensitive wind drifts. Keep an eye on how today's warmer temperatures affect the snow and avoid steep terrain if it becomes too wet.
special announcement

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current conditions

Southwest wind has bumped slightly in speed compared to yesterday's almost non-existent wind. Overnight ridgetop temperatures were in the mid to upper teens. You'll find minor melt freeze crusts on the sunny aspects from yesterday's clear weather.
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

Remember, risk is always inherent in mountain travel. Even with a Low Danger, avalanches can still happen in isolated places.

During periods of LOW danger, we accept more risk in the type of terrain we choose. This makes sense. If you want to descend steep unforgiving terrain and at the same time minimize your chances of triggering an avalanche, then this is a good time to do it. Just keep in mind that you can always find trouble if you're looking for it. There is always a chance that you can get something to crack out in the extreme terrain. Let's face it, there's nothing safe about dropping into any number of the classic couliors that litter the Wasatch. This thrill is why many of us choose to do it.

Here's two things to consider today.

WIND: There is a weather element that points to an increase in wind mainly along the higher ridges today. If wind speeds increase, we may see enough snow transport to form some fresh drifts thus bumping the avalanche danger slightly. If you notice this, you may need to be willing to back off a certain descent even if you've just hiked 4 hours to get there.

DAYTIME HEATING: Another thought to keep in mind is the daytime heating. Today will be warmer than yesterday but we'll see some high clouds move through also. My guess is we may see some loose wet snow avalanche activity. Is it going to actually be dangerous to people out in the mountains? Probably not unless:

  1. You, again, are in steep unforgiving terrain and don't notice that the snow is becoming too wet and unstable
  2. You decide to linger, picnic or lollygag under very steep terrain in the direct sun during the heat of the day
weather

Ridgetop high temperatures will get into the low 30s with some high clouds passing through today. West northwest wind in the low and mid elevations should be light to moderate in speed but perhaps a bit gusty in the higher terrain. We'll see mild weather over the next few days with slightly warmer temperatures each day and generally light wind. A minor storm is trying to clip northern Utah on Saturday but I don't think we're going to see much snow out of it. Another weak storm is shaping up for late Monday.
general announcements

Remember your information can save lives. If you see anything we should know about, please help us out 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.

To get help in an emergency (to request a rescue) in the Wasatch, call 911.  Be prepared to give your GPS coordinates or the run name. Dispatchers have a copy of the Wasatch Backcountry Ski map.

Backcountry Emergencies. It outlines your step-by-step method in the event of a winter backcountry incident.

If you trigger an avalanche in the backcountry, but no one is hurt and you do not need assistance, please notify the nearest ski area dispatch to avoid a needless response by rescue teams. Thanks.

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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.

Powderbird Helicopter Skiing - Blog/itinerary for the day  

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

Ski Utah mobile snow updates

To those skinning uphill at resorts:  it is critical to know the resort policy on uphill travel.  You can see the uphill travel policy for each resort here. 

Benefit the Utah Avalanche Center when you shop from Backcountry.com or REI:  Click this link for Backcountry.com or this link to REI, shop, and they will donate a percent of your purchase price to the UAC.  Both offer free shipping (with some conditions) so this costs you nothing!

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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.