Observation: North Ogden Divide

Observation Date
2/27/2019
Observer Name
evelyn
Region
Ogden » North Ogden Canyon » North Ogden Divide
Location Name or Route
North Ogden Divide
Weather
Sky
Overcast
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
Warm and humid. Rain/snow line seemed right at the pass (6,200'). A short lived mid day squall dropped only a trace to 1/2 inch. A mostly wind sheltered tour today, but obvoius signs of scouring and loading even at the lower elevations.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Melt-Freeze Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Trace to 1/2 inch new snow. Old snow was damp to wet, mashed potatoes, some thin breakable surface crusts, punchy, and a few areas scoured to ice with slide for life potential.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
7,200'
Slope Angle
31°
Comments
1st photo is of above profile. While tests in this one spot showed the snow above and below the upper crusts to be fairly strong, these crusts and bonding will vary a lot over short distances with aspect and elevation. It's easy to quickly dig to them, and will be worth doing during and after the next series of storms. Lower pack was strong.
2nd photo - minor cracking of the snow surface, a few inches deep at the moist snow/dry snow transition, mostly above about 7,000'. Hopefully, cooling temperatures overnight and again on Friday will strengthen all the wet mid and low elevation snow. Easily triggered small roller balls at the lower elevations on steep slopes.
1. One of those wet days....with a short lived squall
2. Some surface are wind scored down to the ice crust, and I'd expect poor bonding of the new snow in these places.
3. Even the small, low elevation cornices are/have been sensitive. (6,800', east facing)
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None