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Observation: Ben Lomond

Observation Date
3/21/2020
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond
Weather
Weather Comments
Sunny start to the day led to a shrouded summit with clouds by about 11am. Precip started spitting by noon, with S1 by 1230 or so, falling as rimed forms, small graupel, or rain with decreasing elevation. Winds stayed pretty under control, calm to light, though they may have gotten worse higher up as the afternoon wore on.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Wind Crust
Damp
Snow Characteristics Comments
Generally a mixed bag, but light surface freeze throughout. At low elevation, this became quite damp, mashed potatoes in the lowest terrain, and "creaky" damp snow above this that was quite grabby. Mid elevations had some softer surface snow. Upper elevations had a selection of melt-freeze crust or wind crust on top. Underlying it all was a stout crust about 10-15cm down.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Problem #1 Comments
The spring shed is underway. Natural wet avalanches were present on the Willard side of the headwall (first pic below), as well as a slide on the Cutler side down and skiers right of the Ben Lomond summit (second photo). The main chutes on Island Peak also had wet slides (third image). The Chilly Peak slabs were also rich with small wet slides (not pictured).
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Low