Forecaster Observation - Red Meadow, Northern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Red Meadow, Northern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Northern (north of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 01/22/2016 - 13:00


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Rapid warming
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Warming temperatures early today. 36º F at 5000 feet at 1000 this morning and begining to see rollerball activity on steep slopes, small loose, wet avalanches, and tree bombs falling. Freezing level was around 6000 feet. Between 5000 and 6000 feet warm temps formed slab in recent storm snow that failed on top of January 17 crust on steep test slope along a gully wall.

Found January 17th rain crust 30-40 cm from surface and Jan. 12th rain crust 55-65 cm from the surface. Both crusts had weak snow above and below in the form of mixed graupel and facets. These layers produced variable results in stabilty tests. In most tests they fractured, in others they fractured and propagated with moderate to hard force. 

Calm wind in this area today, but evidence of recent wind loading and cross-loading.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Accumulation rate: 
Greater than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Warming in the morning but temperature remained steady when clouds moved in and precipitation began.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S2; moderate snowfall, 2cm/hour
High Temp. (C): 
2
Low Temp. (C): 
-1