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Observation: Ogden

Observation Date
1/7/2025
Observer Name
JB
Region
Ogden
Location Name or Route
Nordic Valley Perimeter
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
East
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Beautiful weather dominated the day with sunny skies and cold temperatures. Temps ranged in the mid to high 20s with light to moderate easterly winds. Once above treeline onto the ridgeline winds ramped up and became breezier.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Wind Crust
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments
Below ridgeline cold temps have protected the snow surface to about 6500' where below snow surface has been affected by melt freeze cycles. At ridgeline snow surfaces remain affected by wind and are scoured and crusted. Small surface hoar was observed on most aspects in wind sheltered terrain above 6500'.
Height of snow averages around 100 - 120 cm around 7500' with the bottom 50cm or so consisting of our early season combinations of facets and crusts now capped by a couple of feet of denser snow. Poor snowpack structure is abound however no obvious signs of instability such as cracking or collapsing were noticed today.
Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Interesting easterly winds have the potential to deposit snow in less usual areas however there appeared to not be a significant amount of snow able to be transported by wind along the skyline ridgeline.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments
Poor snowpack structure is still easily apparent. Now buried by several feet of newer snow there were no obvious signs of recent PWL activity in the surrounding area. The facets in the bottom of the snowpack have generally become rounded out at this elevation but are still weak and less dense than the layers that are presiding above it. I would be wary of this problem in thinner rockier areas and slopes that have had previous persistant slab avalanches, and any steeper slopes on the N - E sides of the compass.
Observed a ECTP 28 @ 34cm which occurred on a layer of rounded facets that were slightly weaker than the structure below. Colder temps have helped lock up overall structure.
Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments
Active wind transport was seen both to the north and south. Minimal transport was noted in my travels in the immediate area however there was significant transport along high elevation ridgelines, especially to the south along the No Name ridgeline (see picture). Easterly winds presided for most of the morning into the afternoon contributing to chilly temperatures. If these winds persists they have the potential to create slabs in unusual spots.
Snow Profile
Aspect
North
Elevation
7,500'
Slope Angle
17°
Comments
Good low angle riding is easily attainable with recent colder temps preserving the snow surface in wind protected terrain.
photo 1 - Easterly winds blowing snow off the No Name ridgeline at Snowbasin
photo 2 - A mixed bag of wind scoured and rime along exposed ridgelines
Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable
Coordinates