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Observation: Rodeo Ridge

Observation Date
1/4/2024
Observer Name
Gagne/Costa/Howard
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Rodeo Ridge
Location Name or Route
Rodeo Ridge - Ben Lomond
Weather
Sky
Obscured
Precipitation
Light Snowfall
Weather Comments
Cloudy, obscured skies with poor visibility. Only a trace of new snow above 8,000'
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Faceted Loose
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Widespread weak snow on aspects other than due south (which are crusted).
Comments
The focus today was to map the snow surface prior to a series of upcoming storms. On all but south and southeast aspects, the existing snow surface is incredibly weak with faceted snow and surface hoar. I was finding preserved faceted snow at the ridgetops along the Ogden Skyline, and unless winds destroy this weak layer (which it doesn't seem will happen), we can expect a persistent weak layer from ridgetops to valley bottoms. In many places, the top 5-10 cms of weak snow is sitting on top of a stout crust which will act as a perfect bed surface.
Above 8,000', HS (height of snow) is about a meter on northerly aspects, with a strong, supportable slab.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate
Coordinates