We wish condolences to the family and friends and are very sad to report that a Utah snowmobiler was killed by an avalanche on Sunday, January 11, southeast of Afton, Wyoming. The preliminary report from our nearest neighbors, the Bridger-Teton Avalanche Center, is HERE.
This morning, skies are clear, with trailhead temperatures in the mid-20s °F and ridgeline temperatures in the upper 20s °F. The inversion is less obvious this morning. Winds continue to blow out of the northwest, averaging 5–10 mph, with gusts up to 20 mph along most ridgelines and up to 40 mph along the highest peaks. Overnight gusts reached up to 50 mph.
Today, temperatures will remain a bit cooler overall, reaching the upper 20s to low 30s °F. Winds stay out of the west for the remainder of the day, with gusts up to 30 mph.
Looking ahead, a ferocious mid-winter ridge stretching from Mexico to northern Canada sits over the western US, blocking any chance of precipitation for the next 7+ days. The big question for the Wasatch Front right now is how long these valley inversions will last. Odds are they hang on until a storm system shows up late next week. A storm on Friday could weaken the inversion, but the chances of a full mix-out remain low. Rejoice in being in the mountains and out of the valley inversion.
There were no new avalanches reported from the Ogden backcountry on yesterday.
While things have been quiet on the avalanche front, we’ve received some excellent observations over the past few days, especially focused on dialing in questions around the persistent weak layer. Two solid observations came in from the Snowbasin periphery one from Taylor Canyon and one off Mt Allen, where a similar snowpack structure and results to what Drew and I found on Tuesday were observed. We also received great photos and data points highlighting travel conditions along Cutler Ridge. See below.
Ben Lomond Headwell - B. Dubovik
The most recent backcountry avalanche activity was reported on Sunday, when wet loose avalanches occurred. This included Derek DeBruin’s observation from Mt Ogden of large wet loose avalanches on west through southwest facing aspects.
On Saturday, a snowmobiler triggered a wind slab avalanche on Whiskey Hill in the Monte Cristo area. Fortunately, the rider was able to ride off to the side. Yesterday, Brooke and I went and checked out the Whiskey Hill avalanche and still found old evidence of the avalanche, but the slope had primarily filled back in. See photo below.
We continue to receive many excellent, high-quality observations.
