Forecaster Observation - Canyon Creek, Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Canyon Creek, Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of avalanche (best estimate if unknown): 
Fri, 12/30/2016 - 14:17
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: 
Dry
Slope: 
35degrees
Trigger type: 
Other - explain below
Crown Height: 
Less than 1 ft
Aspect: 
South
Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Avalanche Width: 
20ft.
Terrain: 
Below Treeline
Elevation: 
5 500ft.
Bed Surface: 
Old Snow
Avalanche Length: 
30ft.
More detailed information about the avalanche: 

A widespread storm slab avalanche cycle occured Friday December 30. These avalanches were thin (4-6"), small (generally 10-30' wide) and involved only the new snow that fell early that morning. This event was observed in the northern and southern Whitefish Range, Flathead Range and southern Glacier Park. Avalanche activity occured due to the relatively dense new snow (e.g. Big Mountain cream) that was deposited onto a layer of low density snow (e.g. cold smoke) that fell on Thursday.

Avalanche observation video: 

December 30, 2016 Storm slab avalanche cycle

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 
Activity: 
Skiing