Forecaster Observation - Big Slide, southern Whitefish Range

Location Name: 
Forecaster Observation - Big Slide, southern Whitefish Range
Region: 
Whitefish Range - Southern (south of Coal Creek)
Date and time of observation: 
Tue, 12/06/2016 - 13:00
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 objectives today were to assess the spatial extent of a weak layer (facets and/or surface hoar) that formed last week, determine existence of wind slabs, and examine spatial extent of new surface hoar development last night. 

1. On north, east, and south aspects we found small facets and buried surface hoar about 16-24 inches below the surface. On the south aspect this layer fractured and this fracture propagated across the column with moderate to hard force (ECTP 17 and ECTP 23). We also observed fracture propagation on top of the freezing rain crust that formed on 12/2/2016 (ECTP 19). 

2. Wind slabs were very thin and not widespread in the locations we visited, but we stuck to below treeline, relatively sheltered locations. It's quite likely that wind slabs exist in exposed upper elevation locations. 

3. New surface hoar developed (up to 12 cm in size) on the surface last night.

Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Snowpit videos (tests, etc): 

December 6, 2016 - Cold and sunny, southern Whitefish Range.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
Yes
Cloud Cover: 
Clear
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Light (Twigs in motion)
Precipitation: 
None
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
North
More detailed information about the weather: 

Cold and clear with northerly winds.

Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
-17
Low Temp. (C): 
-18