Utah Avalanche Center warns of increased risk in Salt Lake, Ogden canyons

SALT LAKE CITY — Officials from the Utah Avalanche Center have revised an avalanche warning issued earlier this week. Citing extremely high winds and new snow, the mountains of Logan, Ogden, and Salt Lake City are now considered at high risk for avalanches.

12-22-22: Areas with HIGH danger exist on drifted upper and mid elevation slopes, especially in the Northern Bear River Range. CONSIDERABLE on all other drifted slopes including at lower elevations.
People should stay off of and out from under drifted slopes steeper than 30° pic.twitter.com/ek3PY7lPGk

— UAC Logan (@UAClogan) December 22, 2022

According to Toby Weed from the Utah Avalanche Center, in the Ogden mountains, the most dangerous areas are on “drifted upper and mid-elevation slopes, especially in the Northern Bear River Range.” The danger is considerable on drifted slopes at lower elevations.

Weed said that Wednesday’s strong winds moved “tons” of snow. It also “created thick slabs overloading slopes with buried persistent weak layers.”

He also said that several natural avalanches and one possible human-caused avalanche were reported on Wednesday

Nikki Champion from the Utah Avalanche Center reports that avalanche danger is high at upper elevations in the Ogden area mountains and that human-triggered avalanches “are very likely and considerable on all aspects at mid-elevations.”

Of particular concern for anybody skiing in Ogden area slopes with the additional weight of wind-drifted snow.

Champion also reported that high winds and new snow have moved the avalanche danger to “high” at the upper elevations in the Salt Lake area mountains.

There, the chances for human-triggered avalanches are “very likely and considerable” at mid-elevations.

Officials urged skiers to be cautious near north, east, and northeast-facing slopes that received wind-drifted snow.

Related reading: Utah avalanche danger: What causes an avalanche?

 

 

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