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Observation: Ben Lomond

Observation Date
3/4/2019
Observer Name
Greg Gagne/Barry Peterson
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Weather was very cooperative today! Despite starting out the day quite warm at the trailhead, enough clearing early in the day to prevent any greenhousing, and then winds and cool temperatures both limited any wet activity and also preserved the snow surface with any effects from warming. Winds were primarily above 8000'.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
5-10 cms storm snow since the weekend would sluff on very steep northerly aspects.
- Stout 3-5 cm melt-freeze crust on all aspects below 7500'
- pockets of wind drifts primarily on east and northerly aspects above 8000'
- HS 2.5 - 3 meters > 7800'
Comments
Overall very strong and stable snowpack around Ben Lomond. Am expecting stability issues will be within storm snow and wind drifts, or at the interface with the existing snow surface. The various crusts below the 5-10 cms of recent storm snow may provide a bed surface for avalanching with the next storm system on Wednesday. A few pockets of fresh wind drifts above 8500' - primarily on aspects with an easterly component (due to the westerly winds) but terrain channeling also had drifts on other aspects.
Video below with discussion of field day.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate