Natural avalanches across Canyon Creek Road

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Canyon Creek Road, Whitefish Range
Observation date: 
Sunday, April 8, 2018 - 18:15

Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

Natural storm slabs crossed Canyon Road today, narrowly missing several groups of egressing hikers

  • About 6” of new, relatively dense snow over lower density snow from earlier in the week, over a crust.
  • Temperatures rose through the day, causing the new snow to rollerball, pinwheel, and feel progressively heavier. The snow did not produce cracking where we traveled, but it felt top-heavy. 
  • Around 1:45, we observed 4 separate natural storm slabs release from the Skook Chutes and run onto Canyon Creek Road, D1.5 to D2 in size.  There were several parties on the road at the time but they were able to get out of the way without incident.  The crowns appeared to be about a foot thick. Skies were overcast all day but the slides released shortly after the sun came out through a break in the clouds.  
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Videos: 

April 8, 2018. Close call in the Canyon near WMR

Travel Details
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
5000-6500 ft
Above 6500 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
SW
Red Flags: 
Rollerballs / pinwheels
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
6.00in.
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Sunday, April 8, 2018 - 13:45
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Unknown
More information or comments about the avalanche: 

All slides released within a minute of each other, D1.5 to D2 storm slabs.  

Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Aspect: 
Southwest
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
600ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
80ft.
Hide People Involved
Number of people caught: 
0
Number of partial burials: 
0
Number of full burials: 
0
Avalanche Location: