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Improving stability near Canyon Creek
Location Name:
Forecaster Observation - Canyon Creek, Whitefish Range
Observation date:
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 - 17:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation:
No
Observation made by:
Forecaster
Tabs
Quick Observation
~12” of top-heavy storm slab was consistently cracking 3 to 10’ across slopes and propagating in pits. However, we could not produce avalanches on steep, suspect test slopes.
No slab avalanches occurred overnight in the Canyon.
I suspect that the early and widespread cycle that Blase noted here on Tuesday disturbed the storm interface weak layer on steep terrain; thus the obvious signs of instability on low angle slopes but no action on steep slopes.
The 2/2 interface is 2-3’ deep and did not provide direct feedback today.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:
Travel Details
Region:
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Route Description:
Skook Face, Canyon Creek to 6800’
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details:
Terrain
Elevation of observation:
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation:
NE
SW
Red Flags:
Collapsing / whumpfing noises
More than a foot of new snow or heavy snowfall rates (>1"/hr)
Persistent Weak Layers:
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours:
6.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather:
At 6800’, NE aspect. Small grained facets at 2/2 interface, not propagating though...not much of a slab between the 2/2 and storm interface here due to previous NE winds. ECTP 5 on stellar dendrites down 16”. Same layer that produced all of the cracking. Ski tracks in NE steep slopes in canyon with no results. Skook Chutes no noteworthy results, small SS earlier in cycle
Blowing Snow:
Previous
Wind Speed:
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction:
Northwest
Air temperature:
Below Freezing
Snow line:
2000
Sky Cover:
Decreasing Clouds
Highest Precipitation Rate:
No Precipitation (NO)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details:
Date and Time of Avalanche:
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 - 17:00
