Up in sunshine, down in the rain

Location Name: 
Southern Glacier Park
Observation date: 
Saturday, March 19, 2022 - 18:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation
  • Toured up to into the alpine in southern Glacier Park, mostly on SW to S aspects.
  • Brilliant sunshine in the morning gave way to clouds and very light precip by early afternoon. Rain/snow line was at about 6500', but temps were cooling with the incoming cold front.
  • Mostly light SW winds all day, increasing to moderate gusts by early afternoon. Minimal wind-loading occuring at elevations above 7500'.
  • Snow surface was wet/moist on the sun exposed slopes up to ~7500'.
  • No signs of instability - cracking, audible collapses, or any recent avalanche activity.
  • Was able to view a lot of terrain before the clouds took over. Only saw 2 crowns, D2-size, estimating they ran earlier this week. Located at ~7000', one on S aspect, another on E.
  • A few day old or older, wet loose debris and rollerballs on steep, sunny aspects, usually rocky terrain, D1 size max. But overall not as much wet loose as expected at mid-upper elevations.
  • Rainfall picked up on the drive home in the evening.
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Activity: 
Skiing
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 10:00
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
South
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
2 ft
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
200ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Tuesday, March 15, 2022 - 10:00
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
New/old snow interface
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
400ft.
Avalanche Location: