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Wind Chill Warning
Location Name:
Southern Flathead Range
Observation date:
Monday, February 21, 2022 - 17:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Public
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Easterly winds have deposited fresh slabs on some terrain features at all elevations, but good snow and skiing could still be found in sheltered forested areas below 6000'. Wind slabs were much more widespread above 5500' and nearing 2-3' thick in some locations near ridgelines.
Multiple ski cuts in these wind slabs produced minimal results, save for one very small (4" thick, 15' wide) slab release on a cross-loaded gully (NE aspect, ~5500' elev.). Otherwise slabs were unreactive or only cracked right under your feet.
Ski cuts on a couple steep slopes in wind sheltered areas did not initiate much of a sluff in the powder, debris ran 10-15' before stopping.
At times there was decent visibility of nearby peaks and drainages and did not observe any avalanche activity.
Light to moderate easterly winds with occasional strong gusts. Minimal wind transport observed on the ski tour until above 6000', but this was in more sheltered terrain. Blowing and drifting snow was occuring on the highway in other locations in JFS Canyon.
Temps were sub-zero, with broken skies and no precipitation.
Travel Details
Region:
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity:
Skiing
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Monday, February 21, 2022 - 14:30
Number of avalanches:
1
Avalanche Type:
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Within storm snow
Trigger
Trigger:
skier
Trigger Modifier:
Intentionally Triggered
Terrain
Aspect:
Northeast
Starting Elevation:
near-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size:
R1 Very Small
Crown Height:
Less than 1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):
30ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width):
15ft.
Avalanche Location:
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