Avalanche Advisory
Advisory: Ogden Area Mountains Issued by Evelyn Lees for Monday - March 26, 2018 - 6:16am
bottom line

The avalanche danger is MODERATE at the upper elevations.

Shallow wind drifts, sluffs and new snow soft slabs can be triggered on steep slopes, most likely on northerly through easterly facing slopes. Even a small slide can be dangerous in radical terrain.

There is also an isolated chance of triggering a Persistent Slab avalanche 1 to 3 feet deep on northerly through easterly facing slopes at the upper elevations. Slopes that are rocky or have a shallower snowpack are most suspect, especially in terrain that has slid one or more times this year
special announcement

Support the Snowbasin Avalanche Rescue Dog program at Alleged on Wednesday, March 28 at 6pm. Details here.

We have lift tickets for Snowbasin and Powder Mountain remaining. The tickets are discounted an additional 20%. Details and order information here. All proceeds from these go towards paying for avalanche forecasting and education!
current conditions

The cooling trend continues – with wintery temperatures in the teens, with only a few 20s at the lowest elevations in the Ogden area mountains. Winds are currently from the west and averaging less than 10 mph at most stations, and 15 to 20 mph along the high ridge lines.

Light snow is still falling in some areas, and 24 hour snow totals are currently 2 to 8” in the Ogden area mountains, beating out the 1 to 4” in the SLC and PC area mountains and 2 to 4” in the Provo area mountains.

There are supportable crusts beneath the new snow on most aspects and elevations, with upper elevation northerly facing slopes holding the best of the shallow, cold dry snow. There are reports of good turning and riding conditions on slopes with a smooth old surface. The icy crusts will not soften for the next few days, so be prepared for hard, “slide for life” conditions on many aspects in steep terrain.
recent activity

No backcountry avalanche activity reported from the Ogden area mountains yesterday. A few minor wind slabs developed at the upper elevations.
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

Sluffs, shallow wind slabs and new snow slabs can be triggered today on steep slopes, especially at the upper elevations. While these slides would be shallow, the terrain you are in will make a difference – even a small slide is serious if a ride would carry you off a cliff, into trees or down a long, icy slope.

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

Weak, faceted snow still exists near the ground on mid and high elevation slopes. Avalanches can still break 1-3 feet deep especially on slopes above 8000 feet in steep rocky areas. The natural slide spotted on Willard Peak last Friday is a good example. That slide broke deep in the snowpack and ran a very long distance.
weather

he coldest air of the storm system is coming across the lake, producing lake effect snow bands. Another trace to 2” of snow is possible this morning. Then, winds will shift to the north, cutting off the snow, and skies will become partly cloudy by this afternoon. Wind speeds are forecast to remain light, averaging below 15 mph at the mid elevations, and 15 to 20 mph at the highest elevations. Temperatures will only warm into the 20s at the mid elevations, and may stay in the teens all day along the higher ridge lines. The upcoming week looks quiet, with a slow warming trend, though there is a chance for a few snow showers Tuesday

Check out our Ogden weather page here.
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.