Forecaster Observation - Sub (Little) Shields, southern Glacier Park

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Sub (Little) Shields, southern Glacier Park
Region: 
Flathead Range/Glacier National Park - John F. Stevens Canyon
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 02/14/2016 - 14:00
Location Map: 

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

At low and mid elevations the snowpack was isothermal and occasionally did not support the weight of a skier.

We dug our snowpit on a wind loaded north-northeast aspect at 6900 feet.

The surface snow consisted of 10 inches of low density new and wind blown snow.

This snow sat on top of a 2 cm thick rain crust that was formed 2-12.  This crust was supportable of a skier at this elevation.

Two other rain crusts were noted at 16 and 20 inches below the snow surface.

Our main concern at this location was the new surface soft slab and underlying cohesionless snow that was not adhering well to the 2/12 rain crust.

Stability tests were inconclusive and exhibited fracturing but no propagation within the surface snow. 

 

.

 

 

Snowpack photos: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

February 14, 2016 Sub-Shields, Flathead Range

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
75% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Moderate (Small trees sway)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
West
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
More detailed information about the weather: 

Above 6000 feet the temperature was below freezing with moderate winds and occasional strong gusts.  Active wind loading occurred throughout the day with the low density surface snow. Below 6000 feet the temps were above freezing with light to moderate winds and no wind transport.   

Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S -1; very light snowfall, trace to 0.5cm/hour