Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Greg Gagne on
Friday morning, February 12, 2021

The avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE on all aspects at the mid and upper elevations. On aspects facing west through north and southeast, very large and dangerous avalanches breaking down 2-6' deeply into old snow are possible at the mid and upper elevations. Stay off of and out from underneath slopes approaching 30° and steeper on these aspects. The avalanche danger is MODERATE at low elevations.

Stay alert for rapidly-changing avalanche conditions as the avalanche danger may rise to HIGH today during any period of heavier precipitation or stronger winds.

Expect an elevated avalanche danger at least throughout the holiday weekend with additional storms forecasted.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

Learn how to read the forecast here

Avalanche Watch

THE AVALANCHE DANGER FOR THE WARNING AREA WILL LIKELY RISE TO HIGH BY SATURDAY AND VERY DANGEROUS AVALANCHE CONDITIONS ARE LIKELY TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

WATCH IS FOR HIGH AVALANCHE DANGER IN THE BACKCOUNTRY BEGINNING SATURDAY MORNING AND LASTING THROUGH THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND

FOR ALL THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHERN UTAH INCLUDING THE WASATCH RANGE...BEAR RIVER RANGE...UINTA MOUNTAINS...MANTI SKYLINE

HEAVY SNOW AND DRIFTING WILL OVERLOAD BURIED PERSISTENT WEAK LAYERS AND CREATE WIDESPREAD AREAS OF UNSTABLE SNOW. BOTH HUMAN TRIGGERED AND NATURAL AVALANCHES WILL BECOME LIKELY. STAY OFF OF AND OUT FROM UNDER SLOPES STEEPER THAN 30 DEGREES.

Special Announcements

The final report about the Wilson Glade avalanche in Millcreek Canyon in the Salt Lake mountains has been published. Our deepest condolences go out to the friends and families involved in this tragic accident.

Weather and Snow

This morning temperatures range through the 20's F and winds are westerly. At the mid-elevations, winds are averaging in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph. At the upper elevations - such as Mt. Ogden - winds are averaging in the 20's with gusts in the low 40's mph.

Snowfall began overnight and as of 6 am 2-6" of dense (8-10%) snow has fallen in the Ogden mountains.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning effective through 11:00 pm tonight. For today, 4-8" of dense snow is forecasted with temperatures in the 20's. Winds will shift to the northwest and at the mid-elevations average in the teens with gusts in the 20's mph. Along the uppermost ridges, winds will average in the 20's with gusts in the 40's mph.

Looking ahead, a very active pattern is expected with storms forecasted Saturday into Sunday and again Monday into Tuesday. Additional storms are expected later this coming week.

Recent Avalanches

The only avalanche activity reported from Thursday was sluffing in the new snow on steep, wind-buffed slopes. We appreciate any and all observations we receive!

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Storm snow and winds will overload buried persistent weak layers, with large and dangerous avalanches 2-6' deep breaking out several hundred feet wide possible. It's pretty simple - you need to stay off of and out from underneath slopes approaching 30° and steeper at the mid and upper elevations on aspects facing northwest through east as well as upper elevation aspects facing west through southeast. Avalanches may be triggered remotely and run long distances.

Keep in mind:

Existing tracks on the slope offer zero signs of stability.
Avalanches can be triggered from a distance or below.
Any fresh wind slab or new snow avalanche may step down several feet into older snow.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Westerly winds will drift snow at the mid - and especially upper - elevations today creating sensitive wind drifts. Although you are most likely to find these on aspects facing north through southeast, wind can work around terrain and create drifts on any aspect. On aspects where there is a persistent weak layer, wind drifts may step down several feet into older snow, creating very large and dangerous avalanches.

Pay attention to cornices: Cornices are developing along many ridgelines and we have seen a few avalanches triggered from cornice falls. Be sure to give cornices a wide berth as they typically break much further back than expected and could trigger a much larger avalanche below if they fail.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Snowfall today may create sensitive soft slabs, especially during any period of higher precipitation intensity. Although any avalanching in new snow is likely to be shallow (< 1'), avalanches may step down into old snow on aspects where the persistent layer is present, creating large and dangerous avalanches.

General Announcements

Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE GENERAL INFO AND FAQ

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