Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Tuesday - February 14, 2017 - 7:01am
bottom line

Today the avalanche danger is MODERATE with loose wet avalanche possible on southerly slopes and loose dry snow avalanches possible on the northerly slopes. Fortunately these slides are generally predictable and small.
current conditions

Happy Valentines Day. This morning mountain temperatures are mostly in the upper 20's F. Below 7000 feet, temperatures are in the teens F. Winds remain light at 5-10 mph from the NE. Mid and upper elevation slopes not receiving direct sunshine still have dry powder.

Warm days and clear cold cold nights have weakened this powder as it loses bonds between individual snow crystals, a process called dinurnal recrystallization. The snow isn't becoming drier, it's simply changing into small faceted crystals that don't bond to each other.

Continue your education about avalanches and read more about this process HERE.
recent activity

Yesterday air temperatures mostly reached the mid 30's F. These air temperatures combined with clear skies (which take heat out of the snowpack due to radiation exchange) prevented widespread loose, wet avalanches. Loose, dry snow avalanches or sluffs continued to occur and run on top of ice crusts under the dry snow. Further south near SLC, a solo skier just west of Snowbird's boundary and within sight of the Little Cottonwood Canyon road was caught and carried in a sluff yesterday. It carried him further than it would have otherwise as it ran on top of a hard ice crust. He was pushed into trees, was injured and had to call 911 for help. Photos and info HERE.

One natural slab avalanche was spotted yesterday that may have been a result of warm weather and wet snow. Photo - K. Davis
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

Today should be just a little warmer than yesterday causing a few more loose wet avalanches. They will most likely occur near rock outcrops and cliffs that get especially warm as the day progresses. The photo below (S. Zimmeram-Wall) is a good example of places where these slides will occur.
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

Loose, dry snow avalanches remain a concern mainly if they push you over rocks or into trees. Below is a photo of a well chosen ski line that avoids trees or rocks in the run out zone.

A few lingering wind slabs from Sunday morning's SE winds could be triggered. MASSIVE cornices litter ridgelines. Avoid being near or under these monsters which can break in surprising places and times.

Photo - S. Zimmerman-Wall
weather

Today will be a repeat of yesterday with light winds, sunny skies, and temperatuers warming to near 40 degrees F.
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.