Dry snow, wet snow, and a glide crack

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Southern Whitefish Range
Observation date: 
Saturday, March 13, 2021 - 19:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

I went for a short walk in the southern Whitefish Range to take a closer look at a glide crack and the snow surface.

  • Southerly slopes were frozen in the morning but warmed up quickly due to intense sun, warm temperatures, and a light refreeze overnight.
  • Shaded aspects remained cool with a couple of inches of dry snow resting on the February 28 freezing rain crust. 
  • I did not notice any recent natural wet loose or rollerball activity. However, it was easy to initiate rollerballs on solar aspects in the early afternoon.
  • Thursday, the Patrol Fund Level One avalanche class noted a glide crack west of Hellroaring Peak. This is on a southeast aspect at 6200', with a beargrass surface. Glide cracks develop here most years, and I last visited this site on 4-1-2018 to observe an impressive glide crack. This season's crack has opened but has yet to fail.

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Route Description: 
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
E
SE
S
SW
W
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Surface Hoar
Facets or Faceted Crust
On the surface
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
350 cm
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
By far, the warmest day of the week. Also the weakest freeze of the week. Both lead to the crust on southerlies breaking down much sooner than the past few days.
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Snow line: 
5000'
Sky Cover: 
Clear (CLR)