Forecaster Observation - Noisy Basin, Swan Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Noisy Basin, Swan Range
Region: 
Swan Range - West Side (Flathead Valley access)
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 02/19/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

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

Very large cornices developing in this area. 5-7 inches of snow from previous 24 hours. On the ridge we observed sustained 20-25 mph winds that formed recent slabs on leeward slopes. Minimal drifting occured today due to scouring on windward slopes. Windslabs on the upper elevation ridgelines cracked when traveling above them indicating continued instability. We dug snow pits on north and west facing slopes and found 1 foot thick wind slabs that fractured with easy to moderate force but did not propagate. The Valentines Day crust was 16 inches from the surface and stability tests produced fractures in weak snow above this crust.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong (Whole trees in motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
West
Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
-2
Low Temp. (C): 
-4