Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Paige Pagnucco for Saturday - January 14, 2017 - 6:16am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE. Heightened avalanche conditions exist on slopes steeper than about 30 degrees so evaluate the snow and terrain carefully. Human triggered avalanches are possible on slopes where the snowpack is still adjusting to the added weight of this week's storm.




special announcement
current conditions

This morning it is 27 F at Ben Lomond (8000'), 21 F at James Peak (9425'), and 23 F at Monte Cristo (8960'). Southwesterly winds were fairly calm overnight with only a few gusts in the 10-15 mph range.

Observers in the Ogden zone noted excellent riding conditions on slopes at or below 30 degrees yesterday. Continue to evaluate the snow and terrain carefully, practice safe travel protocols and avoid areas of high consequence like trees, gullies and cliffbands. We are not out of the woods yet as the snowpack continues to stabilize. This is one of those days where if something doesn't "feel right," it's ok to honor that instinct and save the slope for another time.

The clear weather should allow for great avalanche viewing of Wednesday's natural cycle in the Cutler Ridge area. (see recent activity below)

Lots and lots and lots of fresh snow everywhere.
There's 20+ of inches of new snow around 7000' in the backcountry near Snowbasin. (photo: Bill Hunt)
recent activity

A widespread natural avalanche cycle occurred overnight Wednesday-Thursday in the Ogden zone. Numerous persistent slab avalanches up to 5' deep released on low and mid-elevation slopes. Many of these were in the Cutler Ridge area while one was reported in the backcountry near Snowbasin. Snowfall intensified overnight which likely overloaded the persistent weak layers present just above the mid-December rain crust and caused them to fail.

Crowns of Cutler Ridge natural avalanches. (photo:Hardesty/Wewer)

One moderate size storm slab avalanche was observed on the southeast face of Willard Peak. (photos: Hardesty/Wewer)

Avalanche activity during the big storm from other zones:

Uinta's - Two snowboarders survive a large avalanche on Wednesday - see report and video here.

Logan - Widespread natural avalanche cycle in the Wellsville Mountain range - photos of massive Mitton Peak avalanche here.
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

Persistent weak layers have been reactivated by the sheer volume and added water weight of the recent new snow. The tipping point seemed to occur Wednesday night when numerous destructive avalanches up to 5' deep released naturally on low and mid elevation, north through southeast facing slopes. They consistently failed on faceted weak snow just above the mid-December rain crust. These types of avalanches are not to be trifled with as they are low probability but high consequence - they can lure you way out onto them before releasing. Taking a ride will lead to a bad outcome. You can easily avoid this problem by sticking to slopes less than 30 degrees and giving the snowpack time to adjust to the new load.

*Snowmobiles weigh much more than a skier and, with the force they exert on the snowpack, might have an easier time triggering a deeper avalanche.

Photos of natural avalanche cycle 1/11-1/12 near Cutler Ridge (photos: Hardesty/Wewer)

The deep crown of one of many natural avalanches in the Cutler Ridge area. (photo: M. Henderson)
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

Observers noted stubborn storm slabs yesterday. With another day of calm weather behind us, the storm snow is stabilizing quickly. There are a few weak layers within the new snow so you're likely to see soft slab activity on steeper terrain within the top 1 or 2 feet, if any. Continue to use caution and manage your slope angles. Lower angle is still riding well.

At upper elevations, in terrain out of the direct sun, you might see some loose snow sluffs in the upper layers where the snow is drier. Pay attention to daytime heating and direct sun on steep, south facing slopes at all elevations. Signs of warming-related instability include rollerballs and snow sticking to your skins. As the day warms up, avoid steep slopes that exhibit these clues.

Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 24 hours
description

Cornices built up during the strong storm winds are still sensitive and should be avoided. They may break back further than you expect. The weight of a cornice dropping on to a slope below may be enough to trigger a subsequent avalanche.

weather

Short term -Time to add sunscreen and a visor to your pack. The weather for the rest of the long weekend looks just about perfect - cold nights, calm winds and sunny, mild days. Temperatures in the mountains are forecast to reach the mid to high 20's F today.

Next week - High pressure aloft will settle over the Ogden zone for the first half of the week, followed by a return to an active weather pattern late in the week.

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.

TWITTER Updates for your mobile phone - DETAILS

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

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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.