Observation: Ogden Mountains

Observation Date

4/15/2016

Observer Name

Craig2

Region

Ogden » Ogden Mountains

Location Name or Route

ogden mtns

Weather

Sky

Obscured

Precipitation

Light Snowfall

Wind Direction

Southwest

Wind Speed

Moderate

Weather Comments

When we started the wind was out of the SSW then turned NNW in the early afternoon. Light snow fall in AM then tapered to a stop by 1030. We had on and off white out conditions with the sun making short appearances. The mid elevation winds would fill in our uptrack by the time we returned to it after a lap.

Snow Characteristics

New Snow Depth

10"

New Snow Density

Medium

Snow Surface Conditions

Powder

Melt-Freeze Crust

Damp

Snow Characteristics Comments

Nice skiing from 9K to about 8400' then would become a bit thicker but still very turnable. We skied between 9000'-7800'. Snow surface was powder but 25cm down there was evidence of the rain from the early part of the storm.

Red Flags

Heavy Snowfall

Wind Loading

Rapid Warming

Poor Snowpack Structure

Red Flags Comments

Did a quick pit with an ECTN12 at 39cm from the top. Below the new snow was a crust with damp week snow below it from the rain Wednesday night. See pictures below. When the sun comes out we may see some action with the new snow on top of the damp snow. Ski cuts produced no results. Going with a moderate rating for today and tomorrow but will rise to considerable tomorrow with rapid heating.

Avalanche Problem #1

Problem

Wet Snow

Trend

Increasing Danger

Avalanche Problem #2

Problem

New Snow

Trend

Same

Problem #2 Comments

Storm slab stepping down to the weak snow below.

Snow Profile

Aspect

Northwest

Elevation

8,800'

Slope Angle

32°

Today's Observed Danger Rating

Moderate

Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating

Moderate

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