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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Sunday morning, March 14, 2021
The avalanche danger is LOW. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features. Remember that risk is inherent in mountain travel.
Watch for fresh slabs of wind drifted snow. These wind slabs will be generally shallow and isolated to terrain features that allow for drifting snow to accumulate. In sun and wind-sheltered zones, the new snow could lead to shallow soft slab avalanches or minor sluffing on the steepest slopes today.

If the strong March sun does end up coming out today - the avalanche danger could quickly rise to MODERATE on all steep southerly aspects. Pay attention to changing conditions - rollerballs are the first sign that the snow is becoming unstable.
Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
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Weather and Snow
This morning, skies are broken. Mountain temperatures are in the mid to upper-20s F. The overnight winds have continued to increase and transitioned to Northelry. Currently, the winds are averaging 15-25 mph, with gusts near 60 mph at upper elevations.
Today, we could get a final inch of new snow before the snow showers clear out this morning and high pressure begins to build over the area. Winds will continue to increase into the afternoon and temperatures should warm into the mid-20s F and low 30s F. The wind speeds will average 20-30 mph, with gusts up to 55 mph at upper elevations.
Total snow amounts have reached somewhere between 2-6" since Wednesday. Overall, riding conditions have improved greatly. You will find the best riding on aspects that have not been impacted by any solar, and therefore will not hold the firm riding surface from Wednesday afternoon.
Recent Avalanches
No new avalanches reported in the backcountry yesterday.

Read what people are finding under Observations and Avalanches.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Normal Caution
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Description
Today, the overall avalanche danger is LOW. This means that human-triggered avalanches are unlikely, but small avalanches in isolated areas are possible.
Today I would watch for:
Wind Drifted Snow: At upper elevation ridgelines, the new snow could be drifted into shallow wind drifts. These wind slabs will be shallow and overall small in size, but these new wind drifts are sitting atop of a firm snow surface which will make them very sensitive and cause them to run far and fast. Remember that even a small avalanche can be problematic in very steep and complicated terrain. Think about the terrain you are traveling above today.
Wet snow: Late this morning the weather should begin to break, and high pressure will build. This could lead to some broken skies, occasional sunshine, and warm temperatures. With so much cold new snow, and how strong the sun is this time of year, as soon as the sun comes out the snow surface will become instantly wet. As the day heats up, wet avalanches of loose snow will become possible. Pay attention to the snow surface becoming wet, then look for small point releases, balls of snow rolling downhill and growing in size and occurring more frequently.
New Snow: In area's protected from the wind and the sun, the new snow could still lead to shallow soft slab avalanches or minor sluffing on the steepest slopes today.

Slide-for-life: The new snow could easily be scoured off steep slopes and expose the firm icy slopes below. Hard icy conditions aren't an avalanche concern, but a hazard nonetheless in steep terrain where you wouldn't be able to stop if you fell.
General Announcements
Please visit this website with information about Responsible Winter Recreation by the Utah Office of Outdoor Recreation.

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.