Nyack

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Saturday, April 30, 2022 - 12:45
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

I took advantage of a day off to enjoy corn snow in the Middle Fork. We stuck to a due north aspect to minimize the effect of the late April sun.

  • The snow surface was frozen and supportable to skis and boots up to 6200 feet. Above that, recent storms left 1-3 inches of soft snow that alternated with scoured hardpack areas to 7400 feet. 
  • We were able to initiate small rollerballs on steep slopes in saturated snow below 5500 feet on our descent.
  • There was no fresh avalanche debris in this drainage since the widespread wet loose cycle on April 22-24. 
  • Substantial low elevation melting has occurred over the past week making access more tedious.
  • There is still plenty of snow above 5000 feet to allow May skiing.

 

Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
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: 
N
NE
E
Red Flags: 
Rollerballs / pinwheels
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
A bluebird morning sky gave way to overcast conditions in the afternoon. NO WIND throughout the day, even above 7000 feet. The snow softened at all elevations by early afternoon.
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Snow line: 
5500 feet
Sky Cover: 
Partly Cloudy (SCT)