Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Dave Kelly on
Tuesday morning, January 31, 2023

The avalanche danger is MODERATE on mid and upper elevations with wind-drifted snow and for slab avalanches running on a crust/facet combination buried 2-3' below the surface at mid and upper elevations. The avalanche danger is LOW in lower elevation terrain. Expect dry loose avalanches in steep terrain.

Human triggered avalanches are possible in mid and upper elevation terrain. Assess the new/old snow interface to determine if there is a faceted crust present particularly on west-south-southeast aspects.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

Under clear skies mountain temperatures are well below 0 F. As of 0500 AM it is -15 F at North Fork Park. Winds are blowing lightly from the northwest at the 8000' ridgelines and from the north 10 to 20 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines.

Today, winds will blow from the north-northwest 15 MPH gusting to 25 MPH at the 8,000' ridgelines and 25 to 35 MPH at the 9,000' ridgelines. Wind speeds are forecast to decrease throughout the day. Skies will be partly cloudy with temperatures 11-15 F.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday there was a report of an avalanche on a 6500' east facing slope above North Park.

Check out all observations HERE.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Watch for cracking in the surface snow and avoid smooth rounded pillowy features below ridge tops and on the leeward side of gullies. Any slopes with large overhanging cornices will be a sign that the slope below has seen recent wind loading and has the potential to avalanche with the additional weight of an ascending or descending rider.

Photo- Rob R of wind-drifted snow avalanche at 6500' on an east facing slope in North Park near Ben Lomond

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

In the Central Wasatch and the Logan area mountains there were reports of avalanches 100-450' wide that ran on the interface between the new snow and the faceted crust. This is similar to what you might find in the Ogden area mountains. This crust/facet combination is most pronounced on west-south- southeast aspects. I would be digging down 2-3' deep to determine if this crust was present and how it was reacting to extended column tests before committing to slopes approaching 35 degrees. This facet/crust combination will be easily identifiable in the snowpack and if you see it then find a lower angle slope to ride.

Loose dry avalanches are possible in steep terrain at all elevations. Watch for warming on solar aspects at mid and low elevations and avoid traveling underneath these slopes as loose snow avalanches may entrain enough snow to push you over a cliff band or into trees.

Snow profile from an avalanche on a southwest slope that failed on facets above the crust (Photo- Little)

Additional Information

Mark and I discuss this weekend's avalanche activity and forecaster mindset in this video.

General Announcements

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This information does not apply to developed ski areas or highways where avalanche control is normally done. This forecast is from the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This forecast describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.

Observations and Avalanches

Backcountry Emergency Procedures