Forecaster Observation - Marion Lake area, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Marion Lake area, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 12/14/2015 - 12:29
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Most recent snow above Dec. 9 rain crust did not show the propensity to propagate a fracture in our stability tests. In all Extended Column Test, the break fractured only partially across the column and did not propagate across the entire column. In areas where the ground is more rocky, we found well developed facets (weak, sugary snow) and depth hoar. This layer, when present, fractured across the entire column. See video from today for more details about our snowpack. 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

December 14, 2015 - Marion Lake, Flathead Range - General Snowpack Structure

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Calm, mostly clear day above 6000 feet. An inversion set up in some of the mountain valleys in the Flathead Range leaving clouds at lower elevations.

Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
N/A
Low Temp. (C): 
N/A