Forecaster Observation - Marion/Dickey Ridge, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Marion/Dickey Ridge, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/22/2015 - 13:00
Location Map: 

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

The pit was dug on a NE aspect at about 7000 feet on the Marion/Dickey Ridge. There was about 140 cm above the Dec. 9 rain crust. Weak, sugary snow (facets) are still evident below this crust, but it fractured and paritally propagated across the column. It did not propagate across the column at this location.

The observed avalanches in the video were on a SE aspect on a slope greater than 35 degrees.  See avalanche observation here about soft slab avalanches in this area.

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

December 22, 2015 - Soft Slabs, Marion Lake, Flathead Range

Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

 See avalanche observation here about soft slab avalanches in this area.

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: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Snowfall accumulated in the morning at 0.5-1.0 inch per hour, then tapered. In the mid-afternoon southwest winds increased to moderate and began transporting snow. Visibilty was limited so we could not see into the alpine areas and upper ridgelines.

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