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UPDATED at 22:40 on January 1
A long-awaited major snowfall has arrived just in time for New Year’s Eve.
The total amount of new snow has now far exceeded the forecast and currently measures over 100 cm at 2,000 m, with even greater amounts likely at higher elevations. This represents a critical load on the snowpack and calls for the most conservative decision-making. Backcountry travel in the area is not advised.
Some small wind slabs on Bidara South peak right below the ridge (2900 m., SE slope)
The snowpack was thin across all aspects at the start of the snowfall — roughly 40–45 cm on south-facing slopes at 2,000 m, with likely higher amounts of 50–60 cm on shaded aspects in the alpine and high alpine. Observations are insufficient at the moment for a more detailed description.
Overcast with heavy snowfall during the night of December 31, followed by light snowfall during the day on January 1 and heavy snowfall again during the night of January 1. Snowfall will subside during the night of January 1.
Clear skies are expected on January 2.
Freezing temperatures: −8 to −11 °C on January 1 and −11 to −14 °C on January 2.
Moderate southerly winds during the storm, with gusts up to 35 km/h toward the end of the snowfall, shifting to moderate north-northwesterly winds after the storm.
Strong northerly and northwesterly winds on December 30 likely formed wind slabs in the alpine and high alpine on east- and southeast-facing slopes, which are now being covered by fresh snow. Additional observations are needed to determine whether these slabs are stabilizing or will remain an additional hazard.