Forecast for the Ogden Area Mountains

Brooke Maushund
Issued by Brooke Maushund on
Saturday morning, March 28, 2026

The avalanche danger is MODERATE. Without a refreeze last night, danger will increase throughout the day as rising temperatures make wet snow avalanches more likely. Start early, end early, and stay off and out from under steep slopes with unsupportable snow as the day goes on.

Wet snow avalanches increase our uncertainty—increase your travel margins accordingly.

(Gray on the danger rose indicates little to no snow.

Low
Moderate
Considerable
High
Extreme
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Weather and Snow

Yesterday, riders enjoyed improved sliding conditions with the first refreeze in 10 days the night prior. However, temperatures climbed into the 50s F during the day (a balmy 51°F at Monte Cristo) under clear skies. Last night, lows were in the mid to high 40s F. Yikes.

This morning, the snowpack remains mostly wet and unconsolidated, with temps in the mid 40 to 50s F. Light variable winds may have helped cool surfaces and will continue, but won't do much for the snowpack as a whole. High clouds move in today, but high-pressure remains with temps set to climb into the 60s F.

Looking ahead, calm weather continues through the weekend. There are two small systems slated to arrive next week, but they'll remain duds until proven otherwise for me—as they've been trending drier and drier in model runs.

Recent Avalanches

No avalanches were reported from the backcountry yesterday. You can view all recent observations HERE.

On Tuesday, a large natural wet slab avalanche occurred in the upper Jacobs Creek area along the Ogden skyline south of the Weber River. The avalanche ran on a steep east-facing slope near 9000 feet and may have been triggered by natural cornice fall.

Avalanche Problem #1
Wet Snow
Type
Location
Likelihood
Size
Description

In the last 11 days, the snowpack has only seen one refreeze, two nights ago. After temperatures warmed past 50°F yesterday, overnight lows only reached the 40s F. The snowpack remains mostly wet and unconsolidated.

  • Wet Loose: This will be the most common concern, with the possibility for natural and human-triggered avalanches involving wet snow near the surface. These may be long-running and gouge down into the snowpack. These avalanches are especially dangerous in steep terrain or above terrain traps such as steep-sided gullies, where escaping the flow is difficult.
  • Cornices: As temperatures rise, large cornices built earlier in the season become more and more fragile. Steer clear of traveling directly under these or through runouts where a falling cornice may trigger a larger wet slide once it impacts the slope above. Be sure to give them a wide berth when traveling on ridgelines, as they can break back further than expected.
  • Wet Slabs & Glide Avalanches: As meltwater moves deeper into the snowpack, it can pool on buried crusts or weak layers, weakening the structure and allowing avalanches to break deeper and wider. These are larger and more destructive slides and may occur naturally. Glide avalanches happen when this water pools at the ground, causing the whole snowpack to slide—typically over smooth rock slabs or grassy slopes. Avoid traveling on or beneath slopes with visible glide cracks.
Additional Information

A note about wind, crusts, and refreezes: You may find very thin surface refreezes/crusts caused by light winds cooling surfaces overnight, but don’t mistake that crunch under your feet for a refreeze of the snowpack. Think about overheating on a hot summer day on a blistering hike, under the strong sun, with no breeze. Then, a small, light rush of wind cools off your brow, but is over before you realize what’s happened. Your body remains at an absurd temperature as you carry on in your sweltering hike. That’s what this wind is doing for the snowpack: it might cool surfaces for a moment, but it’s not doing much to refreeze down the snowpack as a whole.

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.