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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/12/2024
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Flats
Weather
Weather Comments
By noon, most everything was socked in with limited visibility. PI was S- to S3 between noon and 1600, with consisted light/moderate winds with periods of much stronger gusting.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Hanging out around 5800ft, as fast as the snow could fall from the sky, the wind was turning it into F+ to 4F cohesive soft slab. Wind lips were forming on all available features. Not much was really protected from the wind. Ski pen was about 30cm, boot pen 45-60cm. Plenty of snow available for transport, and the wind took advantage of it.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
The PWL still lurks below all the storm snow. Wind transport and deposition was abundant. Localized cracking confined to the ski tips and tails. Saw a small embankment down to Cutler Creek had avalanched what appeared to be one or two days ago. But the main event at low elevations today was stepping onto Cutler Flats and feeling as though I'd just collapsed the whole thing at once. However, that was not the case, as collapsing happened about every 5 steps instead.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None