Join us at our 2nd Annual Blizzard Ball

Observation: Cutler Ridge

Observation Date
1/19/2025
Observer Name
Derek DeBruin
Region
Ogden » Ben Lomond » Cutler Ridge
Location Name or Route
Ben Lomond, Cutler Ridge
Weather
Weather Comments
Winds were in play down to 7400ft or so, coming out of the west at light to moderate speeds. Winds aloft were apparent looking north to Ben Lomond from Ogden this morning; rapid cloud movement plus streamers falling onto the backside from the summits of Ben Lomond, Willard, and Chilly Peak. Temps were single digits at the trailhead and felt consistently cold throughout the day. Partly cloudy skies and lack of precip verified.
Snow Characteristics
Snow Characteristics Comments
Similar set up to my obs yesterday (20250118) but with additional wind-affected snow surface. Above approx. 7700ft snow transport was visible nearly everywhere at one time or another, with exposed zones variously wind packed, scalloped, or scoured. However, protected terrain continued to harbor soft snow.
Red Flags
Red Flags Comments
Not much to write home about here. Managed to kick off dry loose on steep (>=40 degrees) test slopes, which seemed to run most readily on the new/old interface as opposed to the crust a few inches lower (though it would run on this, too, with some additional persuasion). 1F wind affected broke out underfoot but required some cajoling. However, we didn't go hunting for wind slabs in steep zones as the nice skiing in the protected zones proved distracting from this task. The PWL is making it's way farther down my problem list in the mid elevations, as evidenced by our quick pit today. HS125 at 7800ft on N aspect. 35cm of basal facets were rounding, moist, and 4F+ hardness. Atop this was rightside up F to P snow. ECTX with post-testing shovel shears breaking at nearly every interface except the facets.
Today's Observed Danger Rating
None
Tomorrows Estimated Danger Rating
None
Coordinates