Anticipating Rising Avalanche Conditions

Traveled to the Flathead Range to observe surface snow conditions prior to upcoming storms.

• A breakable rain crust was found at low and mid-elevations. This crust capped up to 4" of dry snow at mid-elevations. Due to the poor snow quality, we did not travel into the upper elevations.
• Facets and/or surface hoar capped this crust.
• Mid-elevation avalanche chutes contain substantial brush which may limit the distance avalanches travel.  
• Instabilities were confined to cracking and plates of rain crust sliding on the dry snow on steep slopes.
• We noted several small loose wet avalanches from recent sunny weather.