Oodles and oodles of fracture lines

Location Name: 
Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Friday, January 15, 2021 - 21:00
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Forecaster

Tabs

Quick Observation

We enjoyed a day off gazing at avalanches from the 1/12-13 storm

  • An impressive storm slab avalanche cycle occurred during the potent storm.
  • One fracture line was over 1000' in length.
  • The sheer number of fracture lines dwarfed the smallish debris piles.
  • The debris piles from the 12/22 Solstice storm were much larger than those from this past storm. This may be due to the lack of snow left in these paths, especially the south-facing.

 

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
N
NE
E
Red Flags: 
Avalanches from the past 2 days
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
1.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
The crust thickened with elevation and was not supportable on skis to our high point of 5000.'
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
4000'
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 00:00
Number of avalanches: 
6
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
800ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
100ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 00:45
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
40
Aspect: 
North
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2.5
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
900ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
100ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 00:45
Number of avalanches: 
1
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
Northeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D2 Could bury, injure, or kill a person.
Relative Size: 
R4 Large
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
300ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
1200ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 00:15
Number of avalanches: 
20
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
East
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Relative Size: 
R2 Small
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
250ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
75ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Wednesday, January 13, 2021 - 00:15
Number of avalanches: 
10
Avalanche Type: 
Soft Slab
Failure Plane/Weak Layer: 
Within storm snow
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
Southeast
Starting Elevation: 
near-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Relative Size: 
R3 Medium
Crown Height: 
1 ft
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
250ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
75ft.
Avalanche Location: