Forecaster Observation - Kimmerly Basin, Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Kimmerly Basin, Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/22/2016 - 13:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Surface snow on sheltered northly aspects was mostly unconsolidated until nearer the ridges where the surface slab become more cohesive. Localized cracking near ridge where wind slabs were present. We avoided open slopes where wind slabs were present. Given the presence of cracking and the ability to trigger small little pockets on very small test slopes, I suspect that wind slabs were still fairly sensitive today. These slabs will likely linger for a few days. They may become harder to trigger, but with a human trigger or cornice fall they are still possible. The Valentine's Day rain crust (2/14) is now about 70 cm (2.5 feet) from the surface at this location. 

On a more southerly aspect a thin melt-freeze crust from yesterday (2/21/16) exists with about 1-2 inches of new snow on top of it. 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Partly cloudy skies gave way to mostly cloudy skies later in the day. Calm south wind except on the ridges where it was light to moderate.

Activity: 
Snowmobiling