Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains | utahavalanchecenter.org

Avalanche Advisory

Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains	Issued by Evelyn Lees for Thursday - February 8, 2018 - 6:22am

bottom line

The snow is stable in most areas and avalanches are generally unlikely. But LOW danger does not mean no danger.

You might trigger cornice falls and/or shallow wind slab avalanches on drifted slopes at upper elevations. And avalanches stepping into old snow remain possible on isolated steep slopes with poor snow structure. The most experienced people are still avoiding the bulls-eye avalanche terrain - steep, north and northeast facing slopes at the mid and upper elevations.

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current conditions

t’s a warm morning, with temperatures in the mid and upper twenties to low 30s under clear skies. The winds are generally from the southwest, averaging 10 to 15 mph, with the highest peak (Mt Ogden) averaging 25 to 30 mph. The low snow pack continues to hamper backcountry travel:

Ben Lomond trail - 11"

Ben Lomond Peak - 27"

Farmington - 34"

Monte Cristo - 42"

recent activity

No recent avalanche activity has been reported from the Ogden area mountains.

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 Although unlikely, persistent slab avalanches remain possible in isolated steep terrain. The most experienced people are still avoiding the bulls-eye terrain - steep, north and northeast facing slopes, especially those that are rocky, wind loaded or have a shallow snowpack. These are the slopes where you are most likely to trigger one of these deeper slab avalanches. · Widespread buried faceted layers appear dormant now, and persistent slab avalanches are unlikely, but if you trigger one it will be dangerous. · Pay attention to possible signs of instability like cracking and whumpfing or collapsing, but remember these signs may not be present so you have to dig down and look for the poor snow structure. · If you choose to travel on steep slopes, select slopes with clean run outs, where a mistake in your stability evaluation won’t send you rocketing off a cliff, into trees or into a gully.

type

aspect/elevation

characteristics

LIKELIHOOD

LIKELY

UNLIKELY

SIZE

LARGE

SMALL

TREND

INCREASING DANGER

SAME

DECREASING DANGER

over the next 12 hours

description

Although unlikely, persistent slab avalanches remain possible in isolated steep terrain. The most experienced people are still avoiding the bulls-eye terrain - steep, north and northeast facing slopes, especially those that are rocky, wind loaded or have a shallow snowpack. These are the slopes where you are most likely to trigger one of these deeper slab avalanches.

· Widespread buried faceted layers appear dormant now, and persistent slab avalanches are unlikely, but if you trigger one it will be dangerous.

· Pay attention to possible signs of instability like cracking and whumpfing or collapsing, but remember these signs may not be present so you have to dig down and look for the poor snow structure.

· If you choose to travel on steep slopes, select slopes with clean run outs, where a mistake in your stability evaluation won’t send you rocketing off a cliff, into trees or into a gully.

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 Wind Slabs: As always, avoid any old or new wind drifts on steep slopes. They often look smooth and rounded, will mostly be along or near upper elevation ridge lines. Cornices: Avoid travel on and below any new and old cornices.

type

aspect/elevation

characteristics

LIKELIHOOD

LIKELY

UNLIKELY

SIZE

LARGE

SMALL

TREND

INCREASING DANGER

SAME

DECREASING DANGER

over the next 24 hours

description

Wind Slabs:

As always, avoid any old or new wind drifts on steep slopes. They often look smooth and rounded, will mostly be along or near upper elevation ridge lines.

Cornices: Avoid travel on and below any new and old cornices.

weather

Another warm day is on tap, with mountain temperatures soaring into the upper 30s to mid 40s. Skies will be mostly clear, with a few high thin clouds passing over. The winds will vary from southwest to northwest, average 5 to 15 mph at the mid elevations. Speeds across the high peaks and ridge lines could reach averages of 25 to 35 mph at times, with gusts in the 40s. Increasing winds on Friday, with a chance for a few snow showers on Saturday and cooler temperatures.

general announcements

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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.

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