Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Paige Pagnucco for Friday - December 9, 2016 - 5:13am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE this morning on all steep mid and upper elevation slopes. Dangerous avalanche conditions exist. Human triggered avalanches are likely so careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making are essential in the backcountry today.

The avalanche danger is expected to rise throughout the day and remain elevated throughout the weekend. Heavy snow and strong winds will combine to create widespread areas of unstable snow at mid and upper elevations today. Stay off of and out from under slopes steeper than 30 degrees.

Be mindful of snow sliding off of roofs as these slides create deep piles of snow very quickly. Have the kids play away from structures and keep your head up if you're shoveling.




avalanche warning

THE FOREST SERVICE UTAH AVALANCHE CENTER IN SALT LAKE CITY HAS ISSUED A BACKCOUNTRY AVALANCHE WARNING.

* TIMING…IN EFFECT FROM 6 AM MST THIS MORNING TO 6 AM MST SATURDAY

* AFFECTED AREA…FOR THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN UTAH INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...AND THE UINTA MOUNTAINS.

* AVALANCHE DANGER…THE AVALANCHE DANGER FOR THE WARNING AREA WILL RISE TO HIGH TONIGHT AND REMAIN ELEVATED THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

* IMPACTS…DENSE HEAVY SNOW COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS WILL CREATE WIDESPREAD AREAS OF UNSTABLE SNOW AT THE UPPER AND MID ELEVATIONS. BOTH HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES ARE CERTAIN. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.

current conditions

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning through tomorrow. The Ogden area mountains picked up about 6" of snow since yesterday and it is currently still snowing. Ben Lomond Snotel shows .6" of SWE in the past 24 hrs. It is quite warmer than yesterday with most stations reporting temperatures in the mid to high 20's this morning. West southwest winds cranked overnight on Ogden Peak with averages in the 40mph range and gusts up to 75mph. They are expected to decrease somewhat by this afternoon.

recent activity

No recent avalanches have been reported in the Ogden area.

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

Storms associated with more dynamic weather having periods of changing snowfall intensities, increasing temperatures, and fluctuating wind are most likely to produce storm snow avalanches. We'll be in the midst of these conditions today so best to avoid steep slopes at the mid and high elevations. The predicted snowfall combined with what we've already received on top of the existing poor snow pack structure will start to put slopes in a delicate balance. Warmer air pouring into the region has produced rising snow levels since yesterday and will lead to the development of upside-down or inverted snow. The storm snow slabs might be a bit firmer given the increasing densities and may not feel much like classic Utah powder. Avoid steep, mid and upper elevation slopes today to avoid this problem.

This is still early season so taking a ride in an avalanche will put you in danger of hitting rocks, stumps and downfall. Best to find lower angle, sheltered terrain to recreate in today.

If you are excited to get your sled out, sticking to the roads or grassy meadows may be your best option today. The snowpack is still too shallow to wander too far as rocks and stumps are lurking just beneath the surface.

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

Winds have been cranking since yesterday at the highest peaks. Avoid steep, wind-loaded slopes that have a smooth, rounded appearance or perhaps have a hollow sound. Watch for cross loaded slopes where wind might have deposited snow in gullies or along the lee of ridges. We were able to trigger small wind slabs yesterday even before the real storm arrived.

The strong winds have the potential to form widespread wind slabs in all open, exposed areas at mid and high elevations.

weather

Expect continued snowfall and windy conditions in the Ogden area mountains today. The mountains could pick up another 3-6". Temperatures have risen in the last 24 hours but will level off in the mid to upper 20's. Winds should taper a bit in the afternoon but snowfall is forecasted to intensify tonight and continue through Saturday.

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

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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.