Forecast: Ogden Area Mountains - Utah Avalanche Center

Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Issued by Nikki Champion on
Wednesday morning, March 11, 2026

After several days of strong westerly winds, avalanche danger is MODERATE across all upper elevations and on some mid-elevation slopes facing north through northeast, where it’s possible to trigger either a stubborn hard slab or a shallow soft slab of wind-drifted snow.

The remaining aspects and elevations have a LOW danger this morning. However, as the strong March sun comes out, wet-snow avalanches may become possible on east, south, and west aspects, as well as on low-elevation northerly slopes, and avalanche danger may rise to MODERATE by the late afternoon. Pay attention to changing conditions; if a slope becomes unsupportable, it’s time to switch aspects.

Low

Moderate

Considerable

High

Extreme

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Weather and Snow

This morning, there are a few clouds in the sky, and temperatures have dropped significantly compared to yesterday, currently sitting in the single digits along the highest peaks and in the upper teens °F at trailheads. Every weather station went through a solid refreeze last night, some for up to 12 hours. Westerly winds remained elevated, gusting 30 to 50 mph, with the highest peak gusts above 60 mph.

Today, expect mostly clear skies. Temperatures will warm into the mid 30s to low 40s °F. Westerly winds will remain elevated throughout the day, though there is a slight decreasing trend beginning, gusting 25 to 35 mph along exposed mid and upper elevation ridges.

After a brief cool down, temperatures will start warming again later this week. A weak system may brush the area this weekend, but it looks mostly dry with just a slight chance of a little snow and some increased west to northwest winds, followed by another stretch of warm, dry weather.

Although there was plenty of sun this weekend, there could still be some preserved cold, dry snow on upper elevation shaded terrain.

Due to the cool temperatures, expect a stout crust this morning on all aspects where the snow surface was damp yesterday. This begins to introduce "slide for life conditions." If you are traveling up a solar aspect this morning, where the surface is now frozen, make sure you have appropriate gear and the knowledge to stop a fall if one occurs. This could include crampons and an ice axe.

Recent Avalanches

No new avalanches reported from the Ogden area backcountry, but ski patrol reports lingering wind slabs above 9000'.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Westerly and southwesterly winds have been cranking the past few days, with overnight gusts above 60 mph on Strawberry Top and the Summit of Powder Mountain. These winds have formed soft and hard slabs of wind-drifted snow on upper and some exposed mid-elevation slopes, though mainly isolated to the upper elevations. While slabs are most prominent on leeward slopes, cross-loading from shifting winds can affect any aspect.

With winds remaining strong today, slabs will continue to grow. Fresh wind-drifted snow may be up to 12 inches deep, possibly deeper in upper-elevation alpine terrain. Watch for pillow-shaped deposits and avoid them. Signs of instability, such as shooting cracks, collapsing, and overhanging cornices, signal unstable snow.

At upper elevations, where slabs have stiffened from prolonged winds, they may allow travel farther onto the slope before instability appears.

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

The Dry January Layer (DJL) of faceted snow is 1-3 feet deep and buried by a strong slab and supportable crusts, with the last reported avalanche failing on the DJL on February 22 on Thurston Peak. Triggering an avalanche failing on the DJL is unlikely and this problem is moving toward dormancy.

The most suspect terrain for triggering a deep, hard slab avalanche failing on the DJL is on steep, rocky, northerly aspects at upper elevations, where the snowpack is thinner. This includes "repeater slopes" that avalanched during the mid-February cycle. Outlier terrain where the snowpack has remained generally thin throughout the season is also suspect.

Pit structure from Cutler Ridge - Berg - 3/9

Type

Location

Likelihood

Size

Description

Temperatures are cooler this morning, but with the strong March Sun, when the sun does come out for a prolonged period, avalanche danger could rise to MODERATE on solar aspects and lower-elevation north-facing terrain.

Watch for wet rollerballs and soggy snow as signs that the snow surface is taking on heat, and switch to a different aspect.

General Announcements

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