Observation: North Ogden Divide

Observation Date
3/29/2019
Observer Name
Mark Staples
Region
Ogden » North Ogden Canyon » North Ogden Divide
Location Name or Route
North Ogden Divide
Weather
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Strong
Weather Comments
Strong west winds transporting lots of snow at ridgelines
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
12"
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Dense powder 10-13 inches deep resting on a soft ice crusts with 8 inches of wet snow under that.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #1 Comments
Biggest avalanche concern was wind slabs.
Comments
Traveled between 6200 and 7500 feet.
At low elevations, the wet snow did show signs of instability in extended column tests (ECTP 14) - first photo below. This was not apparent as I got higher and shouldn't be an issue this morning with cold temps overnight. Brian Smith found some wet snow instabilities below 7000 feet.
The new show showed a weakness at a density change where the wind slabs had been breaking (ECTN 5) - second photo below.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates