Clear skies above Lake McDonald

Location Name: 
Lake McDonald Area
Observation date: 
Monday, January 10, 2022 - 19:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Professional Observer

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Quick Observation

Toured above Lake McDonald today to 7500 ft elevation.

  • 1-1.5 inch thick rain crust present up to 4700 ft.
  • Wind affected snow on exposed S-SW facing slopes at mid to upper elevations
  • Surface hoar present on protected slopes above 6400 ft. 
  • Melting snow and many tree bombs falling below 5200 ft, starting at 1pm. 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Glacier National Park - McDonald Lake Area
Route Description: 
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
SE
S
SW
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Surface Hoar
On the surface
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Left Lake McDonald at 0900 under a thick cloud. Broke through the inversion layer at 4400ft into clear and sunny skies. Ski pen was 20cm during most of the tour. No cracking, whumpfing or recent avalanche activity noted today. Fist hard snow below 1-1.5 inch rain crust, which petered out at 4700 ft. Above 5500 ft, there were isolated areas of hollow, wind compacted snow.
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Sky Cover: 
Mostly Clear (FEW)