Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
2/13/2017
Observer Name
kory
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Cutler to Willard Headwall
Weather
Sky
Clear
Wind Direction
Northeast
Wind Speed
Light
Weather Comments
Calm and warm untill we reached the Cutler Cirque.
Snow Characteristics
New Snow Depth
5"
New Snow Density
Low
Snow Surface Conditions
Powder
Faceted Loose
Wind Crust
Melt-Freeze Crust
Snow Characteristics Comments

Really not that great of conditions. Cold clear night last night dried out the new snow from Friday night. The surface under the new snow is very hard and undulating with all the runnels and old debris. Couple good turns but be careful its deceiving

Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Just pay attention to day time heating.
Avalanche Problem #1
Problem
Wet Snow
Trend
Same
Problem #1 Comments

What you see is what you get. If you are not on true S aspects sun effect was nil. Ambient temps during day are still pretty cold. South aspects around noon got a little wet but not active and west aspects later in day.

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

Did create a few of these. They get moving on the very hard bed surface.

Comments

At lower elevations we did see some NSF and Surface hoar up to about 7,300 ft on northerly aspects. I expect this to continue this week. With inverted temps in the valleys this makes sense. At upper elevation with warmer temps snow surface was starting to settle.

Sloughing!!

Last pic is Joe Keeler credit from Sunday.

I did come across this jem on the slabs. It is the section just north of Zero G. Crown looked to be around 4 ft deep. Glasses it did not go up there. I was surprised how fresh it was. My only guess is it is a wet slide. This area is notorious for wet activity but hard to tell because all other east aspects were dry now.

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