West Central Montana Avalanche Center

Fully supportable zipper crust with some damp grains underneath. Two crusts of concern moving forward with propagation and weak snow above both.

Pit objective is to assess low elevation sheltered snowpack going into spring with the big picture goal of understanding future issues if we get a rain on snow event.

Cold clear day, sun is starting to feel like spring but steady winds kept snow cool and dry. Goal for today was to track the facet/crust combo buried on north aspects.

Area of observation is closed to public traffic for Winter wildlife protection

Looking at snowpack south of existing forecast zone to assess similarity and potential for future forecast zone expansion.

Potential ECTN on buried surface hoar, cracking above skintrack on the same layer. Poor structure but no avalanching with the lack of slab.

Vertical columns of crust extend down to the base of the snowpack, locking up everything below the rain crust.

Full profile dug adjacent to SNOTEL site. Basal facets are stubborn but fully propagating. Skiers in the area poking onto some steep N facing terrain. Scary moderate conditions.