Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Mark Staples for Wednesday - December 6, 2017 - 7:19am
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Today with a isolated wind slabs and isolated pockets of faceted snow on the highest elevations (above 9000 ft), the avalanche danger is MODERATE on northerly facing slopes at upper elevations. On most other slopes there is hardly enough snow to ride and the avalanche danger is LOW. The dilemma is that slopes with the best coverage (a relative term), are ones most likely to harbor some faceted snow. Two options are to simply choose slopes less than 30 degrees in steepness to avoid avalanches, or dig into the snow and make sure no faceted layers exist.

With limited terrain available for riding (low tide as some call it), take the time to practice with your rescue gear if you get out.
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Please abide by the uphill travel policies of the ski resorts. Info here.
current conditions

This morning temperatures are mostly around 15 degrees F. A few low spots have single digit temperatures. Winds at ridgetops increased since yesterday and are blowing from the north 15 mph gusting to 20 mph.

The storm from Sunday/Monday delivered 8-14", with up to 6" at the trailheads. While this was a huge improvement, conditions still remain very thin.
recent activity

Two days ago, one experienced backcountry skier found a few fresh wind slabs he intentionally triggered 4-8" deep and 40' wide well below the Ogden skyline. One slab broke at his skis; another one was triggered from a distance.

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

The greatest hazard is the thin snow cover and hitting rocks whether from riding, falling or from avalanches. Some weak, faceted snow exist in the snowpack in the Ogden area, but most of the Sept/Oct/Nov snow either melted away, or warmed enough to melt and refreeze. Unfortunately, this situation may change in the coming week and I expect much of the snow currently on the ground to weaken and facet on most aspects except due south.

For now, the main thing to watch for are any fresh wind slabs. Winds have mostly been blowing in the teens and fresh winds slabs should be very isolated. The few areas that may harbor faceted snow may remain unstable

The snow is mostly stable but for pockets of lingering wind slab and fast moving sluffs in the low density snow. While weak snow exists in the mid-pack, not enough snow and wind arrived to activate these persistent weaknesses.

weather

Today will have more clear and cold weather. Winds will continue and even increase some from the North at 15-25 mph with some higher gusts. Temperatures will rise into the upper 20's F. For the long term weather forecast - sadly, no snow is expected in the next 7-10 days.
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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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.