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Good times, bad times, it's nothin' but fun to me
Location Name:
Flathead Range
Observation date:
Sunday, March 8, 2020 - 21:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Public
Tabs
Quick Observation
I visited the Middle 'Fork to see what the doom and gloom were all about.
I found a breakable surface crust from the valley floor to ~ 6000'. This crust varied from 1" at 4000', 3-4" at ~ 5000', and 1/2" at 6000'. There was no surface crust above 6000'.
New snow totals of 1.5" at 4000' and 4" at 6000'.
Moderate winds transported fresh snow and formed a thin (~1") surface wind slab between 5800' and my high point of 6800'.
No fresh cornice falls or avalanche activity noted.
Skiing above 5700' was a hoot. Below that, kick turn city.
No skis were broken during the collection of this data.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity:
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
NE
E
SE
Red Flags:
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers:
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
4.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
The crust, at all elevations, broke down during the day and softened from 1F to 4F. Cornices are impressively large and it was surprising to not see sections missing. It felt like winter above 6000' but sorta springlike below that.
Blowing Snow:
Light
Wind Speed:
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction:
Southwest
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Snow line:
valley floor
Sky Cover:
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Highest Precipitation Rate:
Moderate Snowfall (S2)
