Observation: Ben Lomond 1/25/2012

Observer Name:

Primomo/Kendall

Region:

Ogden
Ben Lomond

Observation Date:

01/25/2012

Location or Route:

Ben Lomond

Weather

Sky:

Overcast

Precipitation:

Light Rain

Wind Direction:

Northwest

Wind Speed:

Strong

Weather Comments:

A cool morning but it didn't last long. Cloud ceiling was at about 9,000ft. and ranged down to 8,000ft. throughout the day. Noticed light rain and riming at 8,000ft. and up starting around 11:15. Rime crust was most apparent on NW'ly aspects, but would suspect it to be more pronounced the higher up you went. We only went up to 8,500ft. and decided the conditions were a bit too Scottish for us with strong gusts, low visibility, and active riming.

Snow Characteristics

Snow Surface Conditions:

Powder

Wind Crust

Rain-Rime Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristic Comments:

Found 2mm surface hoar growing off stellars at 7-8,000ft. on N to NE'ly aspects, but it flattened out as the day progressed and the surface became damp from longwave radiation.

Surface was more wind affected the higher you went. Thin fresh slabs were forming, but seemed to be bonding well due to warm temperatures.

Red Flags

Recent Avalanches

Red Flag Comments:

No collapsing noticed.

Primary Concern

Primary Concern:

Deep Slabs

Aspect:

North

Northeast

East

Northwest

Elevation:

High

Mid

Trend:

Same

Primary Concern Comments:

Seemed like almost every steep pocket on the N half had pulled out at some point recently.

snow_profile_location:

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 1)

Riming on NW side of tree at 8,000ft. Photo from around noon.

Comments - Photos - Videos (group 2)

Lenticular-like cloud hanging over the ridge.