Observation Date
1/12/2019
Observer Name
Nathan Chaszeyka
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
The valley inversion cleared at about the 7000ft level revealing clear skies, mild temps, and a very notable absence of wind that is unusual for this area, particularly near the summit.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface conditions were supportable in most locations with some soft snow remaining in sheltered areas.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Cracking
Red Flags Comments
The notable red flag on the day was some localized cracking in wind deposited snow from the recent storms that remains soft on top of very firm, wind scoured, surfaces below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
While traveling above the saddle en route to the summit large amounts of wind drifted snow with suspect stability remain. It appears that these drifts are stabilizing, but I treated them as highly suspect.
Comments
Heavy amounts of graupel were found in the soft surface snow ~ 6000ft and mixed with faceting surface snow. From ~7200ft to the saddle the surface snow is faceting rapidly with large surface hoar between 3mm and 7mm. Photo attached.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
