Public Observation - Elk Mountain, Glacier National Park

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Elk Mountain, Glacier National Park
Region: 
Glacier National Park - Southern Lewis Range
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 01/25/2017 - 13:00
Location Map: 


Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
Snowpit or crown profile photo or graph: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

We found the melt freeze crust (from last week’s warming, light rain, and freezing fog event) varied between breakable in the trees and nearly impenetrable on anything that was exposed regardless of aspect. We found a few pockets where the new snow (5-10 cm) easily sluffed on the crust beneath.

Stability test were inconclusive other than to affirm how delicate the faceted snow (depth hoar) is near the ground. We had one ECT column collapse at the ground while back-cutting it.  Still seeing some thin faceted layers among some very thick cohesive layers, but couldn’t identify anything that was particularly suspect.

Weather Observations
Cloud Cover: 
100% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Cooling
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Activity: 
Skiing
Precip Rate: 
S1; light snowfall, 1cm/hour
High Temp. (C): 
8