Observation: Rodeo Ridge

Observation Date
1/12/2016
Observer Name
Bill Brandt
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Rodeo Ridge
Location Name or Route
Rodeo Ridge to Skyline and places in between
Weather
Sky
Scattered
Wind Direction
Southwest
Wind Speed
Moderate
Weather Comments
Mostly calm until after lunch when the wind picked up. Wind transporting snow along skyline. Hard wind slabs forming which were not sensitive to ski cuts. Slope angle was low along ridge so not much of a problem where we skied.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Surface Conditions
Dense Loose
Snow Characteristics Comments

South faces starting to develop crusts. Ridge lines were wind scoured and scalloped. North facing slopes were soft. Surface hoar was widespread especially at mid and low elevations. It would be worth watching this before next storm arrives.

Red Flags
Red Flags
Wind Loading
Cracking
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wind Drifted Snow
Trend
Increasing Danger
Problem #1 Comments

Wind slabs forming late in the day on upper and mid level ridges.

Avalanche Problem #2
Problem
New Snow
Trend
Decreasing Danger
Problem #2 Comments

Skinned and skied steeper slopes today without sluffing. Skinned across old slide path and surprisingly the bed surface seemed to be the rime crust from a while back rather than facets on the ground.

Today's Observed Danger Rating
Low
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
Moderate