Isolated drifting on Great Northern

Location Name: 
North ridge of Great Northern
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Sun, 10/15/2017 - 11:00
Location Map: 

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

Above 6,000 feet, there was 6-10" of recent snow which accumulated over bare ground, posing no avalanche concerns. At 7,000 ft near ridgeline, we encountered signs of previous wind transport and drifts up to 2' thick.  There were a few small pockets of fresh wind slab on NE aspects below the ridgeline, but they were isolated in distribution, and easy to identify visually.  For the most part, the snowpack where we traveled is still too thin for any significant avalanche threats (or any skiing). Despite strong winds, there was minimal snow transport thanks to a rime crust capping the snow surface.  

Snowpack photos: 
Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Strong (Whole trees in motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Warming
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
More detailed information about the weather: 

Overcast skies this morning burned off by later this afternoon. Calm winds until we gained the crest ridgeline, strong winds at ridgetop.