Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Paige Pagnucco for Friday - March 17, 2017 - 6:49am
bottom line

The overall avalanche danger is MODERATE today for loose wet snow avalanches, falling cornices, and glide avalanches. With above freezing temperatures overnight and warm temperatures expected today, decent riding conditions will only exist during a very short window this morning. As riding conditions deteriorate, the avalanche danger will increase.
special announcement

Spring Special: We have a few donated Snowbird, Snowbasin, Solitude, and Brighton discount lift tickets left and have just lowered the price. Ski a day and benefit the Utah Avalanche Center! Order here.

Little things can make a big difference if caught in an avalanche. Read all three installments from guest blogger Tom Diegel. Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
current conditions

Well it looks like the luck of the Irish isn't on our side today - temperatures this morning in the Ogden zone are once again above freezing. It's 37 F at the base of Snowbasin as well as at the top of Strawberry. Other mountain readings hover around 40 F. Winds are out of the west at 10-15 mph.

You'll be lucky to find supportable snow today for any great length of time. Just like yesterday the sun and heat will take a quick hold and things will deteriorate rapidly. Two-sport days are fair game this time of year so maybe plan to bust out the bike or head to the crags in the afternoon.

recent activity

Lots of glide cracks have opened up in the Rodeo Ridge area. Yesterday, I also observed loose wet snow avalanches as well as cornice fall due to daytime heating and many nights of above freezing temps.

*Yesterday I used green "juice" (Happy St. Patty's Day!) to emulate Mark Staples' previous Tang experiment. The dark green line shows where there is a firm crust though that too is deteriorating. With continued warm temperatures, wet avalanches will continue to be a problem until we get a solid refreeze.

Rodeo Ridge liquid test.

Avalanche Problem 1
type aspect/elevation characteristics
LIKELIHOOD
LIKELY
UNLIKELY
SIZE
LARGE
SMALL
TREND
INCREASING DANGER
SAME
DECREASING DANGER
over the next 12 hours
description

More of the same today with even warmer forecast temperatures. With no refreeze again overnight we are looking at another day with loose wet snow avalanches possible. Once the sun comes up and temps rise, instability in the wet snow will increase rapidly. Wet slab avalanches are also a real possibility.

The best strategy is to start your day early and be out of avalanche terrain during the heat of the day. Avoid being on or underneath steep slopes that are receiving direct sunshine and/or are showing signs of instability like roller balls. When the snow starts getting sloppy, it's time to move to a cooler aspect or perhaps call it a day.

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

Cornices fail unpredictably both in location and timing. However, they are more prone to breaking during warm weather. Avoid being under or on top of or really anywhere near these monsters as they can break back well beyond the apex of the ridgeline. They can also trigger avalanches below that, especially under current conditions, could potentially entrain more snow and become more dangerous very quickly. You'll mostly find these giants on north through southeast facing slopes at upper elevations though there could easily be exceptions in isolated areas.

Cornice fall triggered avalanche off Willard Peak.

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

Glide avalanches are more likely to release during periods of warm weather. Glide cracks are places where the entire snowpack has separated and moved downhill. The start of a glide crack can indicate where glide avalanches can occur and it's best to avoid being on or under any slope showing these deep cracks in the snowpack. There are many glide cracks opening up in the Ogden zone with some very noticeable ones near Rodeo Ridge, especially on the slabs to the south. It'll be best to avoid travel in that area until we get a solid period of freezing temperatures.

Glide cracks south of Rodeo Ridge.

weather

Perfect day for just about anything - except maybe for a long tour. Under sunny skies, mountain temps will reach the 50's F with winds out of the southwest at 10-15 mph. Saturday is supposed to be even warmer! Seems like the leprechauns are having a good "gaire" at our expense but, with many weeks left in the season, we'll just have to wait and see who gets the last laugh.

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.

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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

To those skinning uphill at resorts: it is critical to know the resort policy on uphill travel. You can see the uphill travel policy for each resort here.

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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 occur.