Weak snow in Rescue Creek

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Rescue Creek, Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Thursday, January 24, 2019 - 15:00

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
No
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Enjoyed a short day off tour into Rescue Creek. Main objectives were to assess mid-elevation weak layers, snow coverage in a notoriously brushy valley, and signs of recent avalanche activity.

  • Between 4000' and 5600,' there is a 5" upside down soft slab capping a rain crust with cracking in the facets below the crust on nearly every step.    
  • A snowpit at 4400' had propagation with easy force (ECTP 9) in a layer of facets above a rain crust buried 16" below the surface.
  • A snowpit at 5200'  had propagation with moderate force (ECTP 13) in a layer of small surface hoar above a rain crust buried 16" below the surface.  
  • There is still a substantial amount of brush at low and mid-elevations. This "vegetative roughness" has an adverse effect on the amount of avalanche debris that can reach the valley floor.
  • Several surprisingly small debris piles were the extent of recent avalanche activity. 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
5000-6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Surface Hoar
Facets or Faceted Crust
Buried
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
2.00in.
Total Snow Depth: 
67"
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
At 5200' the snow depth was 67" with 4 rain crusts within the top 25". The Persistent Slab problem, related to the surface hoar/rain crust, diminishes around 5500'
Blowing Snow: 
Light
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Wind Direction: 
West
Snow line: 
2000'
Sky Cover: 
Overcast (OVC)
Highest Precipitation Rate: 
Very Light Snowfall (S-1)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, January 24, 2019 - 19:00