Cornice fall and small slabs

Location Name: BNSF Avalanche Safety - JFS Canyon Observation date: Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 15:45	Is this an Avalanche Observation: Yes

Observation made by: Public

Location

Tabs

Quick Observation

Noticed this small slab today around 3 pm from Hwy. 2 at Marias Pass. Avalanche location was on the long ridge connecting Elk Mtn. to Little Dog Mtn. Looks to be a cornice trigger that popped out the slabs. I'm guessing this ran in the last couple days.
Not much new loose snow avalanche activity observed today. Just a handfull of D1s and one D1.5 in Path 1163 - all on steep sunny slopes where the slides initiated around rocks and trees.
SW winds were picking up this afternoon at upper elevations. Could often see small plumes of snow coming off the ridgecrests in the Park and and the Flathead Range.

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon

Route Description:

Road observations

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Wednesday, February 19, 2020 - 12:00

Number of avalanches:

Avalanche Type:

Soft Slab

Failure Plane/Weak Layer:

Old snow

More information or comments about the avalanche:

All information given above about are estimates about the timing and size. Same with the location given below.

Trigger

Trigger:

natural

Trigger Modifier:

Cornice Fall Triggered

Terrain

Aspect:

Southeast

Starting Elevation:

above-treeline

Size

Destructive Size:

D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.

Relative Size:

R1 Very Small

Crown Height:

1 ft

Avalanche Length (Vertical Run):

200ft.

Avalanche Width (Average width):

50ft.

Avalanche Location:

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Cornice fall and small slabs

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