Large wet loose avalanches in Rescue Creek

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Rescue Creek, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 04/28/2017 - 17:30
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Forecaster
Avalanche Observations
Avalanche Type: 
Loose/Point-Release
Trigger type: 
Natural
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Terrain: 
Near Treeline
Elevation: 
5 500ft.
Number of people caught: 
0
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

Storm totals increased from about 4" at 4,000 feet to 20" at 6,000 feet over a poorly frozen crust.  No signs of wind transport here.  The rain/snow line was at about 4,500 feet this afternoon.  The storm snow was wet below that elevation, and moist above, becoming mostly dry by about 6,000 feet. We initiated numerous rollerballs and pinwheels as we traveled on moderate angled slopes up to 6k.  

Under limited visibility, we spotted about 6 natural loose snow avalanches, both wet and dry-ish, large enough to bury someone and heard numerous others running naturally. (10x L/WL-N-R1-D1.5/2-I)  Start zones for the slides we saw were between 4,500 - 6,500 feet on various aspects. Wet loose conditions were touchy on slopes steeper than about 37 degrees below about 5,500 feet, and we triggered several wet point-releases on skis.  (2 x WL-AS-R1-D1/2-I).  Slides were running on the storm interface. 

Field video here: https://youtu.be/DIxjYeYhYlI

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Avalanche Photos: 
Avalanche observation video: 

April 27, 2017. Large natural wet loose avalanches in the Middle Fork

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
Mixed rain and snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

S2 snowfall above 4,500 feet.  Rain below that.  Freezing level had risen about 1,000 feet since last night's snow, but appeared to be static this afternoon. 

Activity: 
Skiing