Forecaster Observation- Ghoulie Point, Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation- Ghoulie Point, Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 01/17/2017 - 15:30
Location Map: 


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

Toured the terrain just to the east of Whitefish Mountain Resort this afternoon. Initially the surface hoar was remaining intact on all aspects due to lack of wind or sun. Later in the afternoon south winds increased and began to destroy surface hoar on southerly aspects near the ridgeline. Surface hoar on sheltered northerly aspects remained undisturbed.

Dug a quick pit at 6400 feet on a NE aspect, 32 degree slope. Total snow depth was 165 cm and consisted mostly of facets and old wind slab. The most concerning layer was about 20cm down from the surface and consisted of very well developed facets (1+ mm) 8 cm thick (photo). This layer was not reactive (in fact no layers were with results of CTN and ECTX). But I suspect this occured because the 20 cm above these facets was just not a cohesive enough slab. It will be interesting to see how this layer reacts with future loads.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
South
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour