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Avalanche Advisory
| Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains | Issued by Mark Staples for Thursday - January 26, 2017 - 7:10am |
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bottom line The avalanche danger today is CONSIDERABLE which requires careful snowpack evaluations. Mid and low elevation slopes that seem safe may be the most dangerous because they have a layer of surface hoar or small faceted crystals buried 2-4 feet deep. This layer is widespread in the Ogden area. It can even produce avalanches on steep slopes near creeks, gullies and other terrain traps where a small avalanche can create a deep debris pile.
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special announcement Do you buy groceries at Smiths? Register your Smith’s rewards card with their Community Rewards program, and they will donate to the Utah Avalanche Center whenever you make a purchase. It's easy, only takes a minute, and doesn't cost you anything. Details |
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current conditions This morning temperatures are in the single digits to low teens F with light SW winds. Above 9000 feet winds are blowing 10-15 mph. Most places received a trace to 2 inches of very light snow fell since yesterday. Some wind sensors are rimed and there may be stronger winds occurring than we know this morning but overall winds are surprisingly light. Friday and Saturday's low density snow was followed by warmer, heavier snow on Sunday and Monday creating upside down conditions (heavy snow on top of light snow). Since then much lighter snow has fallen creating outstanding riding and right side up conditions (light snow on top of heavy snow). The combination of light winds, cloudy skies, and cold temperatures has kept great powder on most slopes. |
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recent activity Yesterday a skier was caught and carried in a slide on Mt Aire which is just west of Lambs Canyon along I-80. Although this slide happened closer to SLC, it is relevant to the Ogden area as well. Fortunately this skier was not buried or injured. He was the second person to descend the slope. My partners and I looked at this slide yesterday and found widespread buried surface hoar about 2 feet deep on W, N and E aspects. A preliminary report is available HERE and more detailed info will be posted later today. Video about the accident. There have been many slides reported in the Ogden area mountains especially several days ago. Yesterday near Lewis Peak, a skier reported cracks shooting 10-20 feet in front of his ski tips. Also, a skier in the backcountry near Snowbasin reported fast sluffs in the new snow running up to 600 feet. |
Avalanche Problem 1
| type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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LIKELIHOOD
 LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
 LARGE
SMALL
TREND
 INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
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description
Persistent slab avalanches have been triggered layer of buried surface hoar or on a layer small, faceted crystals buried 2-3 feet deep. This layer is widespread in the Ogden area mountains. On Tuesday further south near Bountiful I easily found it, and it produced easy cracks that propagated across my columns in stability tests. Unfortunately this type of weak layer is persistent and can take a while to strengthen. To ride in avalanche terrain, dig about 4 feet deep, do stabilty tests like the ECT, and make sure this layer doesn't exist. A lack of cracking or collapsing or other obvious signs of instability does not mean slopes are stable. Tracks from other people don't indicate stability either. Photo and video below of the surface hoar in an avalanche crown on Mt Aire yesterday.
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Avalanche Problem 2
| type | aspect/elevation | characteristics |
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LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
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description
There has simply been A LOT of snow during the last 5 days (6-7 inches of snow water equivalent in the last 7 days). Old news for anyone living in the Ogden valley. Many avalanches were breaking on low density snow that fell Friday and Saturday. Fortunately this snow is settling, compressing, and gaining strength. Watch for and avoid large cornices which may still be straining under the weight of all the new snow. Lastly, very light snow that has fallen during the last several days may create loose snow sluffs. |
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weather Today will remain cold with NW winds and occasional snowfall. Temperatures will rise into the teens F, and winds should average 5-15 mph in most places. By the end of today only an inch or two should accumulate but will favor upper Little Cottonwood Canyon. Clear, sunny skies and slowly warming temperatures will arrive tomorrow through the weekend. |
general announcements
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