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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/1/2019
Observer Name
Doug Wewer
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Cold. Light wind from NE on the upper ridgeline. Calm elsewhere.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
6"
New Snow Density
Medium
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Found the variety of new and buried wind slabs that were forecasted, and noted by observers yesterday. Poked under the new snow and found pencil hard slabs in many areas, distributed around the compass.
Upper elevations were highly wind affected on the surface. Scoured ridgelines. Heavily loaded and cross loaded gullies in the main basin.
Mid and lower elevation slopes were more sheltered from the last round of winds, but I found the skiing to be inconsistent... ie I couldn’t relax and “trust” the snow in between turns on many slopes. Several slopes that started out soft turned into hard and breakable wind crust without warning.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
No recent avalanches observed anywhere, and we had good visibility. Took a good look in Cutler Basin too, and didn’t see anything. Did see one minor skier triggered sluff, likely from yesterday. Ski cut and jumped on a few hard slabs on slopes steep enough to slide, but couldn’t get anything to move. Got minor cracking only once.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Comments
Lots of heavy riming in the upper elevation trees.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates