Avalanches Swan Range

Location Name: Forecaster Observation - Swan Range Observation date: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - 20:15	Is this an Avalanche Observation: Yes

Observation made by: Forecaster

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Quick Observation

Took a quick afternoon drive down to check out natural activity in the northern Swan Range.

Found multiple D1 and D2 wet loose avalanches on southwest and west aspects.
Found 3 slab avalanches that failed on southwest aspects. These looked D2 in size. My best guess is that two failed naturally late this morning with solar warming. One appeared to have some recent snow on it so potentially late last night.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Swan Range - West Side (Flathead Valley access)

Snowpack Details

Snowpack and Weather Details:

Terrain

Aspect(s) of observation:

Red Flags:

Avalanches from the past 2 days

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - 12:00

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

New/old snow interface

More information or comments about the avalanche:

Avalanches timing is speculated. I would assume they all happened on the 23rd. One last night and two today.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

Aspect:

Southwest

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R2 Small

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

800ft.

Avalanche Width (Average width):

200ft.

Avalanche Location:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - 12:00

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

New/old snow interface

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

Aspect:

West

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Avalanche Location:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021 - 12:00

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Within storm snow

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

Aspect:

West

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Avalanche Location:

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