Forecaster Observation - Rescue/Skiumah Creeks, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Rescue/Skiumah Creeks, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 02/21/2017 - 14:05
Location Map: 

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

Approximately 40 cm (16 inches) of snow sits on top of the Feb. 10 rain crust at all elevations (at least up to 6500 feet) and aspects. Within this new snow fractures occurred, but no fracture propagation (i.e. the break did not move across the column in our Extended Column Tests). 

We observed no wind slab development in this location, but the area is relatively protected below treeline. 

Upon our descent we were able to trigger very small 3 to 6 inch deep soft storm slabs. They were about 10 feet wide at most. As more snow accumulates these storm slabs may grow larger overnight. They were relatively easy to trigger on steep (greater than 35 degrees) slopes.

The snowpack below 4800 feet contains a breakable surface crust and below this is very soft and wet grains nearly to the ground. 

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: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Rain fell below 4000 feet at this location until 4:00 pm. Above this was snow and at upper elevations, the snowfal rate was about 1 inch/hour.

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S1; light snowfall, 1cm/hour