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Storm slab observations from Skiumah area
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation - Skiumah, Flathead Range
Observation date:
Monday, February 5, 2018 - 17:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
6"+ overnight, finishing low density and right-side-up.
Light to moderate snowfall today, moderate wind gusts at higher elevations
Several fresh D1 to D1.5 debris piles below terrain steeper than about 38 degrees. These looked like slab avalanches (or maybe loose snow avalanches) that ran last night within the storm snow
Stability tests suggest storm slabs are becoming more stubborn (ECTX and ECTNH results on mid storm layers). We saw no obvious signs of instability today other than one small collapse.
The light was too flat to get a reliable read on avalanche activity above Skiumah or Rescue, but didn't see anything obvious.
We skier triggered several small, shallow sluffs at all elevations.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos:
February 5, 2018. Terrain selection after a big storm
Video of February 5, 2018. Terrain selection after a big storm
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description:
The ridge between Skiumah and Rescue Cr, up to 6,500'.
Activity:
Skiing
Snowboarding
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
NE
Red Flags:
More than a foot of new snow or heavy snowfall rates (>1"/hr)
Persistent Weak Layers:
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
10.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
There were multiple rain/freezing rain crusts in the ~24" of storm snow up to about 5,500-5,700 feet. No results in stability tests @5300'. At 6,000', there were no recent crusts, stability tests produced several non-propagating failures 20 to 30" deep on mid-storm layers. The most recent rain crust (1/20?) is down 105 cm.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Sunday, February 4, 2018 - 18:45
Avalanche Type:
Unknown
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Within storm snow
More information or comments about the avalanche:
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Aspect:
Northeast
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1.5
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Location:
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