Observation Date
2/2/2025
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin & co.
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
Overcast with the cloud ceiling above the summits. Windy--light/moderate SW wind down into the lower elevation, and clear, strong wind transport visible from afar along the highest ridgelines from Chilly Peak to Willard, and the sub-ridges beneath as well. Warm.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Picked up another 4-5 inches overnight for a storm total of about 15 inches or so at the low to mid elevations. Snow was very dense, reminiscent of maritime snowpack. Warm temps overnight eliminated any chance of preserved soft snow in the low/mid elevations, leading to wet, grippy, heavy, and cohesive surface snow (and associated strenuous skiing).
Red Flags
Red Flags
Recent Avalanches
Heavy Snowfall
Wind Loading
Cracking
Collapsing
Rapid Warming
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Was a bit surprised to see a natural avalanche at low elevation today: a D1 slab that released overnight at the new/old interface, N 6500ft (see separate avy obs). There was also natural cracking in terrain that wasn't steep enough to avalanche, and we readily kicked off similar cracking and avalanches on test slopes in low elevation terrain. These occurred at the new/old interface on the old sub-surface crust overlain by the now sopping wet facets. Given how damp everything was, it seemed fair to call this wet slab activity. Additionally, we experienced at least a half dozen small to moderate sized (approx. 100ft radius) collapses in the mid elevations, on NW-N-E terrain. These failed beneath the storm snow atop the dry facets and crust below. Didn't directly experience wind slabs, but saw plenty of snow transport on the ridgelines.
Comments
Blocks of dense wet snow and a crack just above the skier on a test slope.
A naturally occurring crack on a rollover a bit below the skin track, running about 25ft long. We triggered similar (but shorter) cracks on test slopes.
Wind transported snow streaming off the summit ridgeline of Ben Lomond. Note the white cloud in the foreground: the wind driven snow transported off the summit directly created this cloud.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates
