Reminds me of days in the nations icebox

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Sunday, February 14, 2021 - 19:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Enjoyed a short day off stroll in the Flathead Range. Except for the slow snow, the temperature was just right.

  • We spotted a slab avalanche on Nyack Mountain, which we assume was triggered by transport from recent easterly winds.
  • A handful of small loose dry sluffs were noted on steep north and south slopes.
  • There was 6-8" of low-density snow on top of the 1-13 crust at 3500' and 8-12" at 5000'. This snow is faceting and only has a bit of strength or substance on slopes affected by easterly winds.
  • We did not find any surface slabs in the limited area we traveled.
  • No cracking or collapsing was observed.

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
E
SE
S
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Facets or Faceted Crust
On the surface
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
1.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
We did not find any buried surface hoar on the slopes we traveled but did find facets resting on the 1-13 crust in hand pits on the north and south aspects.
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
0'
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Friday, February 12, 2021 - 12:15
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
North
Starting Elevation: 
6800'
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
100ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
150ft.
Avalanche Location: