Forecaster Observation - Skookoleel Ridge, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Skookoleel Ridge, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Thu, 01/07/2016 - 11:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Surface hoar was present on many aspects, but more prevalent on shaded north aspects not affected by recent wind. In this location it is currently located about 2 inches from the snow surface. On shaded northerly aspects it is evident. In some places it is flattened, but, in others, it is still standing. On sunny aspects some surface hoar survived the previous days of sunshine, but mostly it did not. It's difficult to determine without actually digging a couple of inches below the snow surface. On these sunny aspects the surface hoar sits atop a melt-freeze (sun) crust from early January high pressure. 

The December 9 rain crust (for reference) is located about 100 cm from the surface in this location on a N aspect with a total snow depth of 190 cm at 6800 feet.

Only one layer (of rounding facets) located about 40 cm from the snow surface fractured with hard force (without propagation across the column) in an ECT (ECTN 28).

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

January 7, 2016 - On the hunt for surface hoar, southern Whitefish Range

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Mostly light winds with some moderate gusts right near the ridges at this location. Cooling temps as the cold air mass moves from east to west across the Continental Divide.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour
High Temp. (C): 
-7
Low Temp. (C): 
-10