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Under promised, over delivered
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation - Kimmerly Basin
Observation date:
Thursday, January 20, 2022 - 21:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Tabs
Quick Observation
Seat-of-the-snowmobile obs from a class.
Light to moderate snow all day, with bursts of heavy snow.
10+" of new snow by late afternoon.
Moderate winds created drifts in open areas by early afternoon.
New snow slightly upside down with warming temps.
No cracking or triggered slides while sidehilling. Didn't see any natural avalanches, though visibility was poor.
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Route Description:
3400-6200'.
Activity:
Snowmobiling
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
NE
E
SE
SW
Red Flags:
More than a foot of new snow or heavy snowfall rates (>1"/hr)
Rain on snow
Blowing snow
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
10.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
Sustained snowfall w gradually warming temps. New snow moist at TH in the AM and at upper elevations, wet at TH by late afternoon. Rain started after we left trailhead. Winds moderate from the north in the morning, then backing to south, then dying by late afternoon. Light to Mod blowing snow in AM, with visible drifts. Sidehilling test slopes produced no shooting cracks or slides.
Blowing Snow:
Light
Wind Speed:
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction:
North
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Snow line:
3000'
Sky Cover:
Obscured by fog, etc (X)
Highest Precipitation Rate:
Heavy Snowfall (S5)
