Public Observation - Drisbow/Tunnel Creek, Flathead Range

Location Name: 
Public Observation - Drisbow/Tunnel Creek, Flathead Range
Region: 
Flathead Range - Middle Fork Corridor
Date and time of observation: 
Wed, 02/03/2016 - 12:00
Location Map: 


Observation made by: Public
Snowpit Observations
Snowpack photos: 
Any other comments about the observation or links to outside pages that have more info on the observation: 

Kinda a mixed bag out there.  We found good skiing on lee slopes and protected areas, north through south east aspects, 7000' down to about 5000'.  Up to 40 cms of new snow overlaying the most recent rain/freezing rain crust.  Some south westerly aspects were showing signs of the sun peeping out, solar radiation was creating a soft/moist surface snow, crust.  Below 5000' the new snow thinned out to about 5cms on top of a supportable rain crust.  We experienced no sign of instability and skied slopes of up to 40* in a variety of terrain.  Few sheers in the top 50 cm of the snow pack, but they were all broken(not planar), and were below th most recent rain crust. Small surface hoar <1mm was found variably distributed, depending on aspect and exposure.  Have fun out there.

Weather Observations
Blowing Snow: 
No
Cloud Cover: 
50% of the sky covered by clouds
Air temperature: 
Below Freezing
Wind Speed: 
Calm (No air motion)
Precipitation: 
Snow
Air temperature trend: 
Static
Wind Direction: 
Southwest
Accumulation rate: 
Less than 1 in. per hour
Activity: 
Skiing
High Temp. (C): 
18