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Wind drifting at Big Mtn
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation- WMR backcountry, Whitefish Range
Observation date:
Sunday, February 18, 2018 - 18:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
Yes
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Location
Tabs
Quick Observation
Strong to extreme NE winds with intense blowing snow this morning. Winds eased through the day. Temps were very cold.
Near ridgelines, N/NE start zones were scoured, and leeward slopes (S to W) had drifts up to several feet thick. We triggered numerous large collapses and shooting cracks traveling across these pillows. Collapses and cracking was localized to wind loaded slopes.
~10" of new snow over yesterday's ski tracks. Dense and wind affected. About 15" to 20" down the the 2/8 crust in windsheltered terrain, with no obvious signs of instability.
Several small slides near Kona ran last night. Skook Chutes had also produced several slides overnight that ran to mid track. The debris was mostly blown over by wind, but they looked to be D1.5 in size. We skier triggered a few small pockets; wind drifted lenses behind trees on windward aspects.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Route Description:
Ghoulie's, Kona, Canyon from Flower Point.
Activity:
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
N
NE
SW
W
Red Flags:
Shooting cracks
Collapsing / whumpfing noises
More than a foot of new snow or heavy snowfall rates (>1"/hr)
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers:
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
10.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Saturday, February 17, 2018 - 23:15
Avalanche Type:
Unknown
Failure Plane/Weak Layer:
Unknown
Trigger
Trigger:
natural
Terrain
Starting Elevation:
above-treeline
Size
Destructive Size:
D1.5
Avalanche Location:
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