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April Fooled
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation - Southern Whitefish Range
Observation date:
Thursday, April 1, 2021 - 14:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Today, we got fooled trying to access the east side of the Whitefish divide.
We loaded sleds and skis with the hopes of finding April snow.
By 11am, the air temperature was 55 degrees and pools of water were replacing patches of snow on the road. High hazy clouds throughout the day and light southwest winds didn't make it feel any cooler.
Low elevations were mostly bare ground, with little patches of isolated snow and ice. Foot penetration was boot top or the full depth of the snowpack in wet snow.
Snow at middle elevations was confined to the most sheltered terrain (bowls and chutes) on north aspects.
On southern facing slopes, the snow line was at 5200'. On northern slopes, the snow line was around 4800.'
We did not see any recent avalanche activity.
We made the best of our April fools, by practicing our rescue skills because spring avalanches happen too.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Activity:
Snowmobiling
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
SW
Red Flags:
Rapid or prolonged warming
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
0.00in.
Total Snow Depth:
2 ft
Blowing Snow:
None
Wind Speed:
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction:
Southwest
Air temperature:
Above Freezing
Sky Cover:
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Highest Precipitation Rate:
No Precipitation (NO)