Public Observation - northern Swan Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - northern Swan Range
Region: 
Swan Range - West Side (Flathead Valley access)
Date and time of observation: 
Mon, 02/13/2017 - 14:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent avalanche activity
Rapid warming
Obvious avalanche path
Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

We toured into the northern Swan range. Surface crust on all aspects but was warming and degrading. We dug 2 pits at 6000ft. On SW aspect pit: ECTN 21 @ 20cm from surface, ECTN 22 @ 30 cm (above Jan 19 raincrust). Total snowpack depth - 100cm. On N aspect pit: ECTP 27 @ 40cm (below Jan 19 crust). Total snowpack depth - 120cm. Snow surface showed signs of recent rain at this elevation on all aspects. Numerous wet slides were visible near cliff bands on solar aspects. Recent small slab avalanches visible on shaded aspects.

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Above Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
More detailed information about the weather: 

Clear skies, sunny, warming and affecting snow surface.

Activity: 
Skiing