Forecaster Observation - Big Slide and surrounding area, southern Whitefish Range

Warm (41º F) on sunny aspects around noon. Snow surface was moist to about 15 cm from the surface. Increased rollerball and wet loose sluffs as the day progressed, but no large wet loose avalanches observed before departing upper elevations around 3:00 pm. Shaded aspects protected from strong to extreme winds last weekend harbored decomposing precipitation particles and likely the highest quality skiing and riding to be found right now. Any aspect exposed to the sun yesterday froze overnight. 

We observed buried surface hoar from early February about a foot from the surface on a south aspect. This was the most well developed and preserved surface hoar I've seen throughout the advisory area from this early February period. A new crop of surface hoar now exists at the snow surface (Feb. 10 surface hoar) that is the most well developed at the surface all winter. We'll see if it remains preserved before the next snowfall.

Pit 1, Southeast aspect, slope angle=32 degrees, sky=2/8, Calm wind, Boot penetration=25cm

Total Snow Depth (HS)=200cm

Test 1: ECTN21 @ 164cm from the ground (below 1/28 rain crust)

CT14 Q1 Sudden Collapse @ 164 cm from the ground (below 1/28 rain crust)

CT16 Q1 Sudden Collapse @ 160 cm from the ground (on early Feb. surface hoar)

Test 2: ECTN24 @ 164cm from the ground (below 1/28 rain crust)

CT15 Q1 Sudden Collapse @ 164 cm from the ground (below 1/28 rain crust)

CT17 Q1 Sudden Collapse @ 160 cm from the ground (on early Feb. surface hoar)

Pit 2, North aspect, slope angle=35 degrees, sky=0/8, Calm wind

Total Snow Depth (HS)=285 cm

ECTX

CT21 Q2 Resistant Planar @ 220 cm from the ground on graupel and rounding facets