Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Tuesday morning, March 4, 2025

The avalanche danger is MODERATE across all upper-elevation slopes facing northwest through north and east, where elevated winds and some new snow have created heightened avalanche conditions today. In areas with a shallower snowpack, such as the southern part of the forecast area, it may still be possible to trigger an avalanche failing on the buried persistent weak layer, which is 1-3 feet deep.

At lower elevations, where the snow may not have undergone a solid refreeze, small wet snow avalanches remain a possibility.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

This morning, the skies are overcast. Storm totals for the Ogden area mountains range from 1–2 inches of snowfall with 0.10–0.20 inches of water. Temperatures are in the upper 20s to mid 30s °F. Winds have shifted to the west-northwest, averaging 5–15 mph with gusts up to 20 mph at mid-elevation ridgelines and 15–20 mph gusting into the mid-30s and up to 40 mph at upper elevations.

Today, temperatures will rise into the upper 30s. Expect periods of snow this morning, turning partly cloudy with lingering snow showers in the afternoon. Winds will remain northwesterly, averaging 5–10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph at mid-elevations and 20–25 mph gusting to 35 mph at upper elevations.

The next storm, expected late Wednesday through Friday, looks promising, with 1.25 to 2.75 inches of water content, potentially bringing 14–30 inches of snow.

The range now holds a mix of snow surfaces beneath the new snow. South-facing and lower north-facing slopes likely have a stout crust, while upper north-facing terrain has recrystallized near-surface facets disguised as soft powder. With this storm, the new snow and wind slabs have prime bed surfaces across all aspects and elevations, making even light wind and snow enough to trigger long-running sluffs or sensitive slabs.

Recent Avalanches

Yesterday, there were no new reports of avalanches from the Ogden area mountains.

Observations and Avalanches

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Overnight, winds ramped up, with gusts hitting 40 mph at upper-elevation ridgelines. With some soft new snow available for transport, these strong winds may continue to form shallow slabs of wind-drifted snow. While most pronounced on leeward slopes, such high winds can load any aspect as they swirl and shift through the terrain.

Approach steep terrain features where drifting snow has accumulated with caution. Watch for rounded, wavy, or pillowy snow, and be alert for signs of instability, such as cracking and collapsing.

Any new and wind-drifted snow is landing on ideal bed surfaces, making it prone to shallow but sensitive sluffs and slabs.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

This avalanche problem is nearing dormancy across the range, but shallower areas, such as the Bountiful Sessions, remain a concern. In deeper areas, where the snowpack is 6-10 feet, this problem is less of a concern.

If you plan to approach upper-elevation, northerly terrain, be sure to check both the snow depth (via probing) and the snow structure (via snowpit) before engaging. Trent’s video from a few days ago provides a helpful illustration of this problem—watch it below.

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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

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