Quick report
We visited Glacier National Park to get a better sense of new snowfall and at what elevation the December 5th rain extended to.
- Access is challenging. We boot-packed up to 6500 feet via the trail (no skiing).
- At 6500 feet, total snow depth was 60 to 55 cm.
- 20 cm (about 8 inches) of new unconsolidated snow, above a 3-inch semi-supportable crust.
- Below the new snow, the snowpack was moist to wet, verifying that the recent atmospheric river soaked this area.
- We did not observe a layer of surface hoar that has been observed in other zones of our forecast area.
- The good news is that our lower snowpack will likely strengthen as the moist/wet snow freezes overnight.
Weather
- Air Temp
- below freezing
- Cloud Cover
- broken
- Wind Loading
- none
- Recent Snowfall
- 20 cm
- Snow Avail For Transport
- moderate amounts
A calm day with broken cloud cover that limited our view of surrounding peaks.
Snowpack
We had no propagating results in our snowpit. New snow is unconsolidated.
- 6500 feet, SW, HS: 55 cm, ECTX
- Multiple hand digs revealed that below the new snow, there is a pencil-hard, 3-inch semi-supportable crust, that is intermittent with the area's downfall, mixed with moist facets, and wet snow.
- Below 5500 feet, the snow coverage is thin.
Avalanche
No avalanches were observed.