Professional Observation - Rescue Creek, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Professional Observation - Rescue Creek, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/19/2017 - 12:30
Location Map: 

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

Dug a quick pit at ~6300' on a 35° slope with a NE aspect - HS310 The pit had fair structure, good stability, and no propogation propensity.  The observed Weak Layer was a density change roughly 40cm from the surface within the new (last couple days) snow just above our recent Feb. 10th Rain Crust. Stability Test Results: ECTN14@270, ECTN22@260 (just below Feb. 10 rain crust), ECTN24@250 and CT13@270RP, CT22@260, CT24@250.

Observed small cracking within the new storm snow, no collapsing, and no recent (storm snow) avalanches.  Many of the old avalanche debris piles from the major storm cycle (Feb. 7-9th) had been re-covered with newer wet-loose avalanche debris.  Those wet avalanches entrained a decent amount of snow and deposited debris up to 4' thick ontop of the old storm debris piles.

Aside from the new fallen snow, the snowpack felt wet and as though it was on the verge of going isothermic.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
Rain
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Started walking from the trailhead in a light drizzle, as we gained elevation in and out snow flurries ran through depositing trace abounts of small diameter graupel on everything above 4200'.  Temperatures seemed to drop throughout the day and the overcast skies opened up into broken clouds and blue skies.

Generally light winds throughout the day with moderate to strong gusting at the Penrose/Nyak saddle along the ridgeline.  Snow was certainly being transported.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour
High Temp. (C): 
3
Low Temp. (C): 
-2