Forecaster Observation - Rescue Creek, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Rescue Creek, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/04/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Conducted a snowpit profile on a northeast aspect at 6880'.  Total snowpack depth at this location was 168 cm.  The Dec 9 rain crust was a 15 cm ice mass 123 cm from the snow surface.  A 5 cm thick layer of weak faceted snow was located immediately below this crust with a 25 cm layer of rounding facets forming the basal layer of the snowpack.  We had no results with both CT and ECT tests.

Conducted a snowpit profile on a southeast aspect at 7150'.  The top 35 cm of the pack contained moist snow from recent solar radiation.  The Dec 9 rain crust looked much different than what we observed on our northeast pit.  This raincrust was similar in thickness but was decomposing, softer and did not resemble an ice mass. 

Observed recent rollerball activity and small loose snow avalanches on sunny aspects.  Snow surface on shady aspects remained as dry snow.

 

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Activity: 
Skiing