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Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
2/17/2014
Observer Name
Tim Beaman
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler Ridge Ben Lomond to Upper Weather Station
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
West
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
High teens overnight, but warming to around 30 deg F by mid-day. Not enough sun or warmth to soften anything.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Density
High
Snow Surface Conditions
Rain-Rime Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Aside from a wind-scattered thin skim of graupel/dense snow from Sunday's cold front passage, the snow surface at mid- and lower elevations was a smooth 6-8" thick frozen rain crust stout enough to drive a tank over. Damp, granular crystals immediately below the crust as far as a shovel would reach.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Poor Snowpack Structure
Red Flags Comments
Possibility of small pockets of sensitive wind slab at higher elevations, especially below the ridge line, although the amount of new snow from Sunday is minimal. The rain crust seems to have locked everything up at mid- and lower elevations. No signs of recent avalanches; no cracking or collapsing.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Persistent Weak Layer
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Deep slab instability at higher elevations on steeper slopes still remains a big and scary question mark.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #2 Comments

Warmer temps forecast for Tuesday could soften sunnier slopes enough to produce wet surface slides which could step down into poorly structured lower layers of snow.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Considerable
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Considerable