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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
12/27/2020
Observer Name
Ben and Denver
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler
Weather
Sky
Few
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
Today was a beautiful, calm, sunny day with light to no wind. It was a real beauty!
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
3"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
Surface was varying between graupel and powder. The end of the yesterdays storm was mellow and the stellar dendrites could still be seen gleaming on the surface in may locations. There is a wide variety of snow conditions currently in the Cutler area; from buried wind crust, powder and punchy, spooky snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Still had isolated whumpfing and hollow-sounding snow. Some of these collapses are no doubt on the weak layers others are likely due to the persistent weak layer mixed with a shallow snowpack that is still settling in/around bushes and trees or as we like to call it a "bush whumph" In the mid and upper elevation north aspects the snow pack is still spooky. In some sheltered areas in the mid elevations we found 6-18inches of powder/recycled powder on top of 30-40cm of facets. Sometimes when stopping and standing there you will just collapse and sink all the way through to the bottom. The new snow fell on a stiff wind crust in many areas, this may be the most immediate layer of concern for this next coming storm. If it is triggered it could easily step down into one of the many weak layers below.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Very large Depth Hoar found today in bottom the 12 inches of snow. Sill seeing multiple crust/facet sandwiches in the mid and upper elevations.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Today at lower and mid elevations there wasn't much to be seen as far as recently wind-drifted snow, however, from what we saw yesterday, the wind was transporting snow. While we didn't see lots of drifted snow, the wind slabs could be felt under foot in some locations.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable