Forecaster Observation - Lakalaho/Skookoleel Creeks, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Lakalaho/Skookoleel Creeks, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/03/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

There is a lot of variability in the upper 3 feet of the snowpack. We have a variety of crusts from the month of January that include:

Jan. 12 rain crust with facets and decomposing surface hoar about 2 inches below that.

Jan. 17 rain crust with weak snow above and below it

Jan. 28 rain crust with weak snow above and below it

Pit 1, 6800 ft., NNE aspect, 30º slope, 4/8 cloud cover, S -1 very intermittent, Calm wind, Air Temp= -10ºC, Boot Penetration=50cm.

Total Snow Depth (HS) = 250cm

CT13 Q3 @ 225cm

CT16 Q2 @ 210cm

CT23 Q1 @ 187 cm

ECT #1:

ECTN12 @ 225cm

ECTN18 @ 210cm

ECTP25 @ 187cm

ECT #2:

ECTN24 @ 205cm

ECTN25 @ 187cm

Pit 2, 6600 ft., NW aspect, 38º slope, 2/8 cloud cover, No precip, Calm wind.

Total Snow Depth (HS) = 218cm

ECT #1:

ECTN14 @ 195cm

ECTP15 @ 170cm on facets (0.25-0.5 mm) below late Jan. rain crust

ECTN22 @ 190cm

ECT #2:

ECTP 15 @ 170cm on facets (0.25-0.5 mm) below late Jan. rain crust

-----the late Jan. rain crust at this location is located at 185-182 cm (app. 33 cm from the snow surface)

Pit 3, 6700 ft., SE aspect, 36º slope, 2/8 sky cover, No precip, Calm to Light winds from the NW

Total Snow Depth (HS) = 170cm

ECT #1

ECTN15 @130

ECTN18 @ 115

ECTN24 @ 100

Total Snow Depth (HS) = 160cm

ECT #2

ECTN12 @ 135

ECTN16 @ 120

ECTN19 @ 115

ECTN20 @ 110

ECTP24 @ 100 Q! on rouding facets (0.05mm) below 1/17 rain crust

ECTN24 @ 100



No cracking, collapsing, or recent avalanche activity observed.

 



 







 

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

February 3, 2016 - Variability and New Surface Hoar, southern Whitefish Range

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Northwest
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Mild weather today with minimal wind loading on the highest ridges from west winds.

Activity: 
Skiing