Forecaster Observation - southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 01/02/2017 - 14:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We wanted to determine the effect of the strong east and northeast wind over the past 36 hours in the southern Whitefish Range, and to search for layers of weak snow deeper in the snowpack. We saw no obvious signs of instability and no recent avalanche activity (within the past 24 hours). 

On a northeast facing slope at about 6500 feet, we found that the strong northeast winds created a hard surface slab about 30 cm (1 ft.) thick. Our extended column test resulted in the layer of softer snow beneath this surface hard slab fractured and propagated across the column with easy force (ECTP 1 Q2). 

On a souteast facing slope at 6400 feet in a more sheltered location, there was a only a thin and unreactive wind slab. However, a layer of 1mm facets 80 cm from the surface fractured and propagated across the column in 2 Extended Column Tests (ECTP 30 x2). The mid-December freezing rain crust is now about 30 cm from the ground on this aspect. 

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

January 2, 2017 - Cold, Windy, and some weak snow

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 

It was very cold (a high of -1 degrees F) with moderate to strong NE winds all day. Rather unpleasant on exposed skin. In the sun, and out of the wind, it was more comfortable. Moderate winds with strong gusts were loading SE, S, SW, and W aspects and creating a hard wind slab on N, NE, and E aspects.

Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
-18
Low Temp. (C): 
-19