Krusteaz

Location Name: 
Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Tuesday, March 10, 2020 - 18:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

I visited the Marion Lake Spa and Resort to enjoy "crust ease", and commemorate the 1932 Seattle women's bridge club responsible for easing kitchen chores.

  • A 6" hard (P) supportable melt-freeze surface crust was found at low and mid-elevations. Up to 4" of recent snow caps the crust at mid-elevations sheltered from the wind.
  • Moderate winds with strong gusts produced moderate wind transport at mid-elevations. A 1-2" soft wind slab sits atop the crust on slopes exposed to the wind. Cracking underfoot was noted but no shooting cracks observed.
  • The lower half of Repeater Ridge had swirling downslope winds while the upper half had more typical southwest winds. 
  • The Marion Lake trail is a skating rink and I was thankful to have ski crampons.
  • The skiing on the south slopes of Repeater Ridge was enjoyable with several inches of snow on a supportable surface.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
SE
S
SW
Red Flags: 
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Cool temperatures Monday, Monday night and today kept the snow surface frozen and supportable.
Blowing Snow: 
Moderate
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
valley floor
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Cloudy (BRK)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Light Snowfall (S1)