Wicked winds of the East

Location Name: Forecaster Observation - Peak 6996, GNP Observation date: Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 16:15	Is this an Avalanche Observation: No

Observation made by: Forecaster

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Quick Observation

Headed to the summit of 6996 (Sub-Sheilds) to gather data related to storm instabilities, new wind transport, and monitor persistent slab problem.

Moderate east winds continuously transported snow onto westerly aspects.
No recent avalanche activity observed but visibility was poor
Storm slab was surprisingly soft and lacking cohesion
Instabilities in the surface snow were confined to cracking underfoot
Poor snow structure still exists but appears to be slowly gaining strength

Snowpack, Avalanche, Weather Images:

Travel Details

Region:

Glacier National Park - Southern Lewis Range

Route Description:

Start Fielding up to 6996 summit via the ridgeline to just below summit proper on NE side

Activity:

Skiing

Snowpack Details

Snowpack and Weather Details:

Terrain

Elevation of observation:

3500-5000 ft

5000-6500 ft

Above 6500 ft

Aspect(s) of observation:

Red Flags:

Blowing snow

Persistent Weak Layers:

Facets or Faceted Crust

Buried

New Snow in the past 24 hours:

7.00in.

Total Snow Depth:

44"

More comments about the snowpack and weather:

Temperatures around freezing this morning with a dramatic decrease by mid-day. Winds 10-20mph with G30mph out of the East at mid and upper elevations. Overnight low-density snow ~4" at 4500ft and ~7" above 6000ft. Test pit dug on NE aspect @ 6,800ft. We had easy failure in storm snow at old snow/new snow interface but no propagation (ECTN7 down 20cm). A test pit dug in the same area and aspect 7 days ago showed propagating test results (ECTP12) on a faceted layer 30cm above the ground. This faceted layer seems to be gaining strength but is still propagating based on today's test results (ECTP21).

Blowing Snow:

Moderate

Wind Speed:

Moderate (Small trees sway)

Wind Direction:

East

Air temperature:

Below Freezing

Snow line:

4,000ft

Sky Cover:

Overcast (OVC)

Highest Precipitation Rate:

Moderate Snowfall (S2)

Avalanche Details

Avalanche Details:

Date and Time of Avalanche:

Sunday, December 30, 2018 - 16:15

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