Public Observation-Werner Peak, Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation-Werner Peak, Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/15/2017 - 10:30


Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

Took a look at the east facing mini-bowl below Werner today. Similar to everywhere else locally most of the open terrain had slid during the big storm cycle and there were partially snowed over crown lines and debris chunks present. Winds were getting strong out of the SW and some snow transport was occuring. Dug two pits on at 6900 ft NE exposure 32 degree steepness. Surface snow was still dry and skiing would have been OK if we had brought skis. Nothing very good to say about the snowpack however. I think we dug where things had not recently slid but hard to tell. Total snowpack was 180-200 cm. Approx 70 cm storm slab above the Jan 19th mess. In one pit the ECT failed Q1 while cutting the back out. Other hasty obs in the same pit showed reactivity but not quite the same sensitivity. Moved about 20 ft over and the same slab was ECTP24, so go figure. Very surprising to see the slab hold that long after the first result. Depth hoar was substantial in both pits. In my 25 years in the valley I've definitely never watched such an inconsistent snowpack develop. Where has our wonderful homogenous base gone?

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Activity: 
Snowmobiling
High Temp. (C): 
-2