Observation: Ogden Foothills

Observation Date
11/11/2020
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ogden Foothills
Location Name or Route
Jumpoff Canyon
Weather
Weather Comments
Went for a mixed climbing foray this morning. Awoke to a skiff of snow on the ground and clouds overhead in Ogden, with the tap turning back on around 6:30am. Found consistent S1-S2 precip across the town/trailhead elevation (4400ft) up to where I climbed this morning near 6400ft. Snow was still spitting in the mountains at 10:00am but had stopped below about 6000-6500ft. Temp was just above freezing when I left the car but noticeably a few degrees cooler at the top of the climb. Winds were light and variable, likely owing to local topography (as I spent most of my time on a cliff, the general wind direction was up). Snow has been continuing in town and in the mountains on and off this afternoon, with Ben Lomond shrouded in cloud all day.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
There was 1 to 2 inches of snow present at the trailhead, just enough to see the rabbit tracks on the approach trail and leave my own footprints in the dark. Snowfall was consistent, with visibility as little as 50 to 100 feet at times as I climbed up into the clouds. This resulted in about 2-3 inches of additional snow throughout my three hour outing, mostly filling in the bootprints I'd made and obscuring the passage of any rabbits. Precip was largely rimed forms, most lightly coated stellars, reasonably dense and a bit damp, and quite sticky. It stuck to...everything. My boot soles. My crampon plates. My gloves. My jacket sleeves. The rock. Around 6,000ft there was a noticeable change in snow to light, lower density powder that corresponded with a lower temperature.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
No red flags to note.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Problem #1 Comments
If someone managed to find enough snow in the Ogden zone to ski/ride, I'd be looking out for sluffing in the new snow, as I noted some under foot as I was descending through 35-40 degree terrain. I'd also be looking out for pockets of wind affected snow as I imagine winds were more significant up at the ridgeline than they were above the east bench of town.
Comments
Low visibility and snow on everything.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates