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Observation: Ogden

Observation Date
1/18/2023
Observer Name
brian smith
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Birthday Bowls
Weather
Sky
Broken
Wind Direction
North
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
broken skies and almost no wind today
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments
Soft wind crust above 7800ft except in the most sheltered areas. Nice dry powder at lower elevations. The turning got better the lower we went.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Red Flags Comments
Soft wind slabs on the exposed ridges that did not move much. No other red flags noted.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments
Test slopes lower down are more sensitive than higher up (see video), all in the new snow. The rain crust from a week ago is down 20 inches at 7200ft. and well bonded to the new snow with no activity in pit tests.
Comments
Skied the Birthday Bowls for the 36th straight year on the 18th. This is one of the best coverage years that I remember. Did not experience any red flags except wind loading on the ridges. The new snow is well bonded to the recent rain crust and the skiing is better down low.
Video
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Moderate
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates