Observation: Monte Cristo

Observation Date
11/28/2016
Observer Name
kory
Region
Ogden » Monte Cristo
Location Name or Route
Monte Cristo
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Heavy heavy precip rates today at times. Also a decent warm up in the afternoon temps in the 30's. Cooling off now the snow at our house is already starting to dry out with colder temps and clear skies.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
18"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

18" Storm total so far at 9,000 feet.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
I think tomorrow will be more interesting for avalanche viewing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

Density change in the snowpack could create some 10-12" deep slides where is there is wind affect of course a lot more.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Post frontal winds will start to blow from the W moving some of the snow around.

Comments

Apologies left my phone in car so no Photos!!

Went back up to Monte today. Found much better skiing, way more coverage. In the Ogden valley we received close to 10”. I was wrong the road up to the summit, hwy 39 is snow covered. The tracks on sleds do hit pavement in spots but much better coverage for access to the Monte Cristo Summit than I had thought yesterday. Today I noticed a lot of the same things others are seeing. The new snow was bonding well with the old snow but there is definitely a density change sometime around 9-10am today. The precipitation rates were up and the density of snow was also up. I have not really done the calculations yet but just walking through it you can that the snow is now “upside down.” There was a moderate amount of cracking in that density change but no collapsing or signs of avalanches.

Today was moderate due to lack of coverage. I think it would be hard to even get into much avalanche terrain in the Ogden Mountains. Especially in the Monte Cristo area. With wind I could see it increasing to Considerable tomorrow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable