Boot deep is nice.

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 17:30
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Today we went into the Flathead Range to assess new snow hazards and enjoy some fresh snow. The snow quality was superb and we only had to manage isolated problems. 

  • Observed around 20 small (D1) soft slab avalanches at upper elevations. These appeared to be roughly 6 inches thick. Many started mid-slope and at cliff bases and were triggered from loose dry avalanches from above. 
  • There were ~10 inches of new snow at mid and upper elevations. We found graupel and a hardness difference within the new snow (likely failure plane of natural avalanches).
  • The top 2 to 3 inches of snow became moist on south aspects from solar radiation. Observed 2 wet loose avalanches on steep south-facing slopes. 
  • There were pockets of wind drifted snow on all aspects at upper elevations. We ski cut many wind-drifted features throughout the day and had no results.
  • We found weak faceted snow roughly 2 feet below the surface on a northeast aspect at 7300'. 

Today we decided early that we did not want to tango with north-facing aspects where a weaker structure exists. We skied steep avalanche terrain on southwest and southeast aspects where a strong melt-freeze crust exists below the new snow. 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
Red Flags: 
Avalanches from the past 2 days
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
10.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
The density change and layer of graupel within the new snow likely explains the failure plane for natural avalanches. I'd suspect many of the slabs that failed cliff base was a result of graupel pooling off cliff bands. Slabs appear to be quick to stabilize in this area. A one inch melt freeze crust exists up to 7600 feet on solar aspects.
Blowing Snow: 
Previous
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction: 
North
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Clear (CLR)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
No Precipitation (NO)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 06:00
Number of avalanches: 
20
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Many slabs failed on east and southeast aspects. Observed a few on northwest as well. 

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
200ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
50ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, February 16, 2022 - 02:00
Number of avalanches: 
2
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
unknown
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
45
Aspect: 
Southeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
1000ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
50ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 12:00
Number of avalanches: 
2
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

Observed old debris piles that likely ran Feb 10th during other observed wet loose activity.  

Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
Southeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Avalanche Location: