Forecaster Observation - Elk Mountain, Glacier Park

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Elk Mountain, Glacier Park
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Sat, 03/25/2017 - 12:00
Location Map: 

Red Flags: 
Recent loading by new snow, wind, or rain
Observation made by: Forecaster
Snowpit Observations
More detailed information about the snowpack: 

The focus of today's tour was to determine size and distribution of recently formed wind slabs along with confiming the state of the loose wet avalanche problem at all elevations.

  • Recent snow that fell overnight at upper elevations (3-4") was redistributed by the wind into a 12" wind slab that was 1F hard.
  • This slab sat on top of a melt freeze crust but I was not able to find areas of shooting cracks or able to make this slab move despite kicking/ski cutting this slab in numerous locations.
  • Consistent moderate westerly winds throughout the tour drifted the new snow onto leeward aspects.
  • The snow surface at all elevations was supportable to skis.
  • The loose wet avalanche problem was minimal at low and mid elevations and non-existent at upper elevations. 
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
More detailed information about the weather: 
Activity: 
Skiing