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Observation: North Ogden Divide

Observation Date
2/28/2017
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden » North Ogden Canyon » North Ogden Divide
Location Name or Route
skyline, south of north ogden divide to 7800ft.
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
strong west winds on the ridges.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
4"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments

Nice light density snow down low, many wind blown areas up higher. Great turning in the protected areas at low and mid elevation.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Heavy wind loading on the ridges
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

4-8 inch wind slab on the exposed ridges. There is a bunch of snow being transported up there.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Cornice
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

The cornices are growing! Many of the ridges that I have traveled for 30 years are much wider than ever due to the snow transport making it seem as though the ridge is actually wider, it is difficult to tell where the earth ends and the snow begins.

Comments

photos:

1. Mild storm sluffing on a 52 deg. test slope

2. Cornice formation, note the southwest ridge in the background is nearly bare of snow. Yesterday it was covered with snow.

3&4. Cornice fracture, very sensitive. This was a sofa sized cornice drop even though the photo does not show it.

The wind slab is not to be trusted. It was sensitive and difficult to see with the flat light. (easier to feel the hollowness). The conditions down low are awesome with low hazard as I observed.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate