Ad
The National Forest Service Logo
icon-add Observation
Forecasts
Logan Ogden Salt Lake Provo Uintas Skyline Moab Abajos Weather Archives How to read the forecast
Observations & Avalanches
Submit Observation Observations Explorer All Observations Avalanches Fatalities Weather Place Names Map Archives
Education
Avalanche Class List UAC Class List Online Classes Resources and Tutorials Avalanche Awareness Develop Skills
Events
Store
About
Contact Who we are Core Values Staff Board of Directors Past Forecasters Sponsors Annual Reports Sign In
Blog
icon-add Observation
Donate / Join

Observation: North Ogden Divide

Observation Date
2/18/2021
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden » North Ogden Canyon » North Ogden Divide
Location Name or Route
North Ogden Pass foot hills to 6500 ft.
Weather
Sky
Broken
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Calm
Weather Comments
A few feathery flakes falling today, calm winds down low.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
2'
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Snow Characteristics Comments
The last foot of snow fell with cold temps and made for light snow and nice turning on low angle slopes.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Red Flags Comments
The past two days I have skied below 6500 ft. and there was no collapsing or cracking. I jumped on numerous steep test slopes that I have used for 35 years. No results today or yesterday. I dug into these slopes and found no faceted snow. (again this is at low elevation)
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Problem #1 Comments
I skied only up to the level that had no snow on Dec. 11, 2020 (see my photos from observation submitted then). I dug numerous pits and could not find any of the depth hoar that is so prevalent up higher. There is 135 cm (53 inches) at 6500 ft. of which half is from the storms of the last week. The old snow has been rained on and beaten up and now frozen and consolidated. I did multiple ECT's without results. Once again, this is at low elevation, it is a whole different game up higher where there was old snow to rot.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Problem #2 Comments
Photo of the higher ridges you can see the wind slab from the picture.
1. Photo of wind loading on the East ridges north of North Ogden Divide
2. Photo of snow pack at 6500 ft. on a NE slope. Half from the last week!
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None