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Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Nikki Champion
Issued by Nikki Champion on
Thursday morning, February 24, 2022
A MODERATE danger exists in the mid and upper elevations. The danger is for fresh wind drifts on all aspects but most pronounced on the north to the west to south-facing slopes. In isolated terrain, these drifts may step down into older weaker snow on the northwest to east-facing slopes. Human triggered avalanches are possible.
The remaining aspects and elevations have a LOW danger.
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Weather and Snow
This morning, skies are clear and it has stopped snowing. Mountain temperatures are hovering below 0°F this morning, with upper elevation ridgeline temperatures sitting near -5 °F. The winds have begun backing off and transitioning from Northwest to Westerly. Winds are currently blowing 5-15 mph with gusts near 30 mph at the highest ridgelines.
Today, skies will become mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow showers through mid-morning. Temperatures will rise into the low teens °F, but windchill with remain close to -20 °F. The westerly winds will remain light, blowing 10-20 mph. The highest gusts at upper elevation ridgelines could reach 30 mph.
This evening, another cold trough will drop into the area bringing periods of snowfall after midnight. The weather is looking clear and warm for the weekend.
Recent Avalanches
We didn't hear of any avalanches in the Ogden area mountains.
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Avalanche Problem #1
Wind Drifted Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
The new low-density snow combined with a few days of elevated winds will have created some soft slabs of wind drifted snow at upper elevations, and even some mid-elevation terrain features such as sub-ridges and gullies. These wind slabs will be shallow and overall small in size, but these new wind drifts are sitting atop weak faceted snow or a firm snow surface, which will make them very sensitive and cause them to run far and fast. Even a small avalanche would be enough to knock a person off their feet and through complex terrain. Look for any obvious signs of wind drifted snow, such as hollow sounding or pillow-shaped snow, and avoid those slopes.
Elevated winds can deposit snow on all aspects but give northwest through north through east extra caution, as triggering an avalanche that initially fails in the wind-drifted snow is most suspect to step down deeper and fail into the weak faceted from January and February.
In any wind-sheltered areas, some new soft snow may still be found. In those areas, you may find still find some lingering fast-running sluffs or sensitive storm slabs. Look for signs of new snow instabilities such as cracking, and collapsing.
Avalanche Problem #2
Persistent Weak Layer
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description
Over the past few days, backcountry skiers in the Salt Lake mountains triggered three separate avalanches 10-18" deep into our Jan/Feb drought layer that is now our prime persistent weak layer. With the additional couple inches of snow and wind, it may be possible to trigger these in the west to north to east-facing slopes today and more likely in the southern part of the Ogden area mountains toward Thurston, Bountiful and Sessions area. Cracking and collapsing are key indicators of instability. You may also be able to trigger these at a distance.
The good news: With this past week's new snowfall, the riding conditions have greatly improved on all aspects. So if you are going out today, slope angle and aspect are going to be the name of the game.
General Announcements
Who's up for some free avalanche training? Get a refresher, become better prepared for an upcoming avalanche class, or just boost your skills. Go to https://learn.kbyg.org/ and scroll down to Step 2 for a series of interactive online avalanche courses produced by the UAC.
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.
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