Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy...

Location Name: 
Flathead Range
Observation date: 
Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 14:15
Is this an Avalanche Observation: 
Yes
Observation made by: Public

Tabs

Quick Observation

...when the snow stays cold and dry. I visited my happy place, the other side of the tracks, to observe surface snow conditions.

  • The second day of high pressure was similar to day one with cold overnight temperatures, cool daytime temperatures, and minimal loose snow slides. Today, we enjoyed bluebird conditions compared to yesterday's partly cloudy skies. The saving grace was breezy winds at mid and upper elevations which kept the snow surface cool.
  • We observed 2 small loose sluffs run at 1:00 and 1:20 on steep south slopes. A handful of small sluffs were noted on the SE face of Nyack Mt. A couple of these may have been triggered by uphill skiers.
  • Southerly surface snow was cold and dry at 4700', our high point, at 2:30.
  • Moderate wind transport occurred throughout the day at mid and upper elevations.
Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images: 
Travel Details
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Route Description: 

 

 

Activity: 
Skiing
Snowpack Details
Snowpack and Weather Details: 
Hide Terrain
Elevation of observation: 
3500-5000 ft
Aspect(s) of observation: 
NE
E
SE
S
Red Flags: 
Blowing snow
Persistent Weak Layers: 
Not observed
New Snow in the past 24 hours: 
0.00in.
More comments about the snowpack and weather: 
Light winds at 4700' with obvious moderate winds at mid and upper elevation ridgelines.
Blowing Snow: 
Moderate
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Snow line: 
valley floor
Sky Cover: 
Clear (CLR)
Avalanche Details
Avalanche Details: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 01:00
Avalanche Type: 
Wet Loose
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
35
Aspect: 
South
Starting Elevation: 
below-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1.5
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
200ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
50ft.
Avalanche Location: 
Date and Time of Avalanche: 
Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 11:45
Avalanche Type: 
Loose Dry/ Sluff
Hide Trigger
Trigger: 
natural
Hide Terrain
Start Zone Slope Angle: 
38
Aspect: 
Southeast
Starting Elevation: 
above-treeline
Hide Size
Destructive Size: 
D1 Relatively harmless to people.
Relative Size: 
R1 Very Small
Avalanche Length (Vertical Run): 
250ft.
Avalanche Width (Average width): 
10ft.
Avalanche Location: