Near surface conditions

Location Name: Forecaster Observation - Canyon Creek, southern Whitefish Range Observation date: Friday, March 23, 2018 - 14:45	Is this an Avalanche Observation: Yes

Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

The rain/snow line was around 5500' from Thursday nights precipitation. New snow depth increased with elevation and was 2" at 6700'
Shady aspects received substantial warming on Thursday before the precipitation moved in. Numerous rollerballs and tree bombs were observed at mid elevations.
A 1" melt freeze crust formed on upper elevation shady aspects due to Thursday's cloudy warm humid weather.
Recent snow showed affects of wind but no wind slabs were found on our tour.
A 3-4" sun crust formed Tuesday and Wednesday was observed on sunny aspects at mid and upper elevations. This crust was supportable to skis at all elevations in the morning.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos:

March 23, 2018 - Near surface conditions

Travel Details

Region:

Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)

Snowpack Details

Snowpack and Weather Details:

Terrain

Elevation of observation:

5000-6500 ft

Above 6500 ft

Aspect(s) of observation:

Persistent Weak Layers:

On the surface

Buried

New Snow in the past 24 hours:

2.00in.

More comments about the snowpack and weather:

Surface hoar was noted on the surface on shady aspects. Surface hoar was found preserved 14" below the surface on an upper elevation shaded aspect. This was the failure layer in our stability tests (ECTP 6). This layer formed prior to the 12" storm that occurred Sunday night/Monday.

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 - 16:45

Avalanche Type:

Wet Loose

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Within storm snow

More information or comments about the avalanche:

Sunny weather on Wednesday triggered the storm snow from the Sunday night storm. Debris ran on the sun crust formed last week.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Terrain

Start Zone Slope Angle:

Aspect:

South

Starting Elevation:

near-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D1 Relatively harmless to people.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

150ft.

Avalanche Width (Average width):

20ft.

Avalanche Location:

Avalanche Forecasts

Tutorials

Observations

Weather

Classes and Events

Videos

Online Resources

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Flathead Avalanche Center

Near surface conditions

Tabs

March 23, 2018 - Near surface conditions

Call

Contact

In Partnership With

In Partnership With

Avalanche Forecasts

Tutorials

Observations

Weather

Classes and Events

Videos

Online Resources

Friends of the Flathead Avalanche Center

Flathead Avalanche Center

Near surface conditions

Tabs

March 23, 2018 - Near surface conditions

Search

Follow or Subscribe

Call

Contact

In Partnership With

In Partnership With