Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/6/2024
Observer Name
Bill Brandt
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
The usual spot.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The surface hoar and NSF are now buried beneath 2-4 inches of new snow. There isn't enough new snow to overload the weak layers. Wind was picking up today and moving surface snow into ridge line soft slabs which cracked with ski cuts and slid short distances. No collapsing noted on the skin track. Most were 4 inches thick while some were about 8 inches. Steeper slopes stuffed easily with ski cuts and ran with moderate energy. The new snow from yesterday and the old surface snow sit on a stout slippery crust 1-2 inches thick.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Not a lot of new new to blow around currently. More snow and wind predicted tonight so I expect avalanche danger will increase.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
There is old weak snow under the upper crust. Below this in the snow pack is a thick pencil hard slab with faceted snow below that. I could see a big load causing slides under this layer or perhaps a slide happening on the now buried surface hoar stepping down to this lower layer.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates