Forecaster Observation - Six-Mile area, Swan Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Six-Mile area, Swan Range
Region: 
Swan Range - West Side (Flathead Valley access)
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/01/2017 - 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: 

We rode into the Six-Mile area in the Swan Range today to assess distribution and reactivity of wind slabs formed by continued moderate to strong winds since early in the week. We also wanted to continue our hunt for buried surface hoar further south in the Swan Range, and assess the weak (faceted) snow associated with the Jan. 19 crust.

The east/northeast wind continued to drift the cold, recent snow and thicken slabs along the ridge lines.  While traveling along the ridge we found isolated pockets of wind slab that cracked and fractured 12-16 inches deep beneath our skis.  From a distance we were able to see a crown line on Hall Peak that appeared to be a few days old. It appeared to be a wind loaded, northwest slope and the avalanche stepped down to weak snow near the ground. Poor lighting and drifted in debris made it difficult to estimate size and age of this avalanche.

 

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Northeast
Accumulation rate: 
None
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cold temperatures all day, even in the sun. Winds were 5-15 mph with gusts to 20 mph out of the east and northeast. A few high clouds in the morning more clouds moved in later in the afternoon.

Activity: 
Snowmobiling
High Temp. (C): 
-14
Low Temp. (C): 
-16