Forecaster Observation - Southern Lewis Range, Glacier Park

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Southern Lewis Range, Glacier Park
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Southern Lewis Range
Date and time of observation: 
Fri, 12/02/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Whumphing noises, shooting cracks, or collapsing
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

In John F. Stevens Canyon we toured up the Shed 6/7 ridge to perform maintenance on the Shed 7 weather station. A very thin snow pack was encountered from the valley floor to the ridge line. The exception to this were leeward (SE, East, NE) aspects at both mid and upper elevations.

At a mid-elevation test slope we were able to intentionally trigger 2 small  soft (4F+) slab avalanches on a steep southeast aspect. These avalanches failed on a density change in a pocket of wind drifted snow.

Cornice formation at the top of the Shed 7 west path was noted as large for December 2.

Dug an east facing snow pit at 6300'. Snow depth was 40 cm with a 4 cm ice layer (1F) composing the basal layer. The remainder of the snow pack was a relatively homogenous 36 cm layer of 4F+ snow. No results were observed in stability tests in this relatively sheltered location.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Moderate winds at mid and upper elevations throughout the day.

Activity: 
Skiing