Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Monday - January 30, 2017 - 7:19am
bottom line

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE. The most dangerous problem at low and mid elevations is persistent slab avalanches but these are not an issue on all slopes. Where this problem exists, there's a good chance you can trigger a slide. At the highest elevations watch for wind slabs, and as the day heats, watch for wet loose avalanches on southerly slopes.
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current conditions

This morning temperatures are in the teens at low elevations, near freezing between 7-8000 ft, and in the 20's F at higher elevations. WSW winds are blowing 10-15 mph gusting 25 mph. Slopes on the southern half of the compass got wet yesterday and should have an ice crust on them this morning.
recent activity

The only avalanches reported yesterday in the Ogden area were loose, wet avalanches on southerly facing slopes. Near Salt Lake, another slide occured on a buried layer of surface hoar. Click HERE for photos.
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

A layer of surface hoar or small faceted crystals near on an ice crust can produce persistent slab avalanches today 2-4 feet deep and several hundred feet wide today in specific terrain. Where? Unfortunately, slopes that harbor these layers are wind sheltered slopes that are not obvious avalanche terrain. They seem benign but possibly conceal a deadly layer beneath your feet. Just west of Paradise yesterday at 7200 ft, Toby found buried surface hoar and was able to trigger small slides 2 ft deep on this layer. Although a bit closer to Logan, Toby's observation is relevant for the Ogden area.

The good news: Knowing if these layers exist on a slope is easy. Dig only 4 feet deep on a low angle slope at a similar aspect and elevation to one you hope to ski or ride. You may see an obvious stripe of surface hoar which is a bad sign. See Toby's photo below. Or you may find an ice crust with small facets. Either way, doing a quick stability test like the ECT will help you find these layers because the column will cleanly fracture on them.

What if you don't find these layers? These layers don't exist everywhere and many slopes are stable. If you don't find them, this avalanche problem probably isn't an issue BUT you'll have to dig more snowpits if you change location. On Ben Lomond Peak yesterday, a skier did not find any buried surface hoar at 8000 ft.
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

Watch for fresh wind slabs. Yesterday a skier on Ben Lomond Peak found soft snow unaffected by winds below 8500 ft with more and more wind loading above that elevation. Today will be a great one to enjoy the sunshine and get into terrain at higher elevations, but in this terrain wind slabs will be your primary concern. As you ride back to the trailhead and lose elevation, your attention should shift to the persistent slab avalanche problem.
Avalanche Problem 3
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

Strong sunshine should cause more wet loose avalanches today. You'll know danger for this problem is increasing because the snow will become wet, and small wet slides will start occurring. Skiers saw several wet, loose slides yesterday at low elevations near Mt. Timpanogos that were large enough to bury someone or cause serious injury being such dense, heavy snow. See photo below (E. Maginnn)
weather

With a valley inversion, today is another great one to escape the haze and enjoy warm, sunny weather in the mountains if you are fortunate enough to have today off from work. Temperatures at 9000 ft should rise to near 40 degrees. Winds will blow from the WSW at 10-20 mph with some stronger gusts. Unfortunately, the inversion is supposed to be with us through at least Friday.
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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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.