Observation Date
1/18/2021
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Rodeo Ridge
Location Name or Route
rodeo ridge and birthday bowls
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
clear with no wind below 8000k. Winds blew last night up higher, as seen in the photo below.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Nice fast, recrystalized powder in the shade. Wind crusted on exposed ridges especially above 8000ft.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No collapsing or cracking the past two days. Very poor overall snowpack structure but no overt evidence of instability.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
The Rodeo ridge area yesterday seemed to have weaker snow with larger facets deep in the snow pack than just a few miles to the north today, could be just sampling error however. I did multiple ECT's at various elevations in both areas with no propagation. I believe we are still waiting for a larger/stronger slab to tip the scales. You may be able to find that on a steep wind loaded slope presently. 34 years of the birthday bowls on January 18th found one of the top four lowest snow depths and one of weakest.
Comments
Photo of soft cold snow in the shelter areas and wind affects on the upper ridges. Video of the rotten snow pack 31 inches (80cm) at 7500 ft. on a sheltered north slope.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates
