Public Observation - Surface Hoar on Elk Mountain

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Elk Mountain SW Ridge
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 01/03/2016 - 15:48
Location Map: 

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

Found variable and "pockety" conditions today on the lower elevations of the SW shoulder of Elk Mountain. Below 6500', pockets of wind slab, sun affected snow, unconsolidated new snow, near surface facets and well developed surface hoar were found... The largest surface hoar crystals were found from about 5000' - 6200' and were equally spread through protected tree groupings and open meadows (see photo). Above ~6300' wind had scoured and crossloaded most of the terrain on all aspects.  "Variable" was the word of the day!

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
25% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
West
Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
-7
Low Temp. (C): 
-23