Gudauri

Fresh wind slabs formed from NW, W and SW winds on the weekend, and some N/NE winds on Wednesday morning moved more snow. Be mindful of potential cross-loading. The wind slab may be very soft, making it difficult to detect.

Unconsolidated new snow can be triggered by skiers on steep terrain.

Whumphing was heard in a couple of places recently (Lomisa, Kudebi), and new avalanches slid on a crust layer under the recent snowfall that has facets above it in some places. This layer may extend into the subalpine. It may become more of a problem in coming days as the new snow above it becomes denser. Other weak layers associated with melt-freeze crusts or density changes have been found around the forecast area, and cold temperatures are making all these layers weaker where the snowpack is shallow (less than about 1.5m)

Recent avalanche activity:

28th - 31st January - glide slabs continue to be active on multiple aspects below about 2600m, some up to size 2.

27th January - mulitple natural size 1 loose dry avalanches in high alpine, some happened mid-storm. Multiple natural storm slabs, wind slabs and glide slabs up to size 2 Lomisa - Miketi area 2000 - 2400m, SE,E and NE

Snowpack:

Significant amounts of low-density snow fell on Saturday 27 January. Above about 2600m this snow was affected by wind at the end of the storm, forming soft drifts and slabs. There is a melt-freeze crust under the new snow below 2600m - 3000m, depending on aspect. Facets have been seen on this crust, SE aspect 2900m - these produced a whumphing. This layer could become a problem as the new snow settles and becomes more cohesive. The deeper snowpack is generally stable, especially at lower elevations (under 2000m). In some areas higher up (above 2600m), weak, faceted snow can be found in shallow rocky areas near ridges, and a crust/facet layer was seen around 3000m, E aspect. Areas of buried surface hoar might also exist above 2600m. With ongoing cool temperatures, these layers will need to be watched carefully. Warming on SW, S and SE aspects and in lower elevations during sunny periods can lead to increased hazard from glide cracks and loose wet avalanches. Check out recent snow profiles (or add your own!) at snowpilot.org

Cold air tempertures over the last couple of days with sun and clouds - greenhouse effect on Wednesday producing warming, and strong N/NE winds on Wednesday morning moving some snow.

Thursday and Friday will bring a mix of sun and clouds with light snow possible Thursday afternoon. Temperatures remain cool (daytime freezing level 1400m), with light to moderate winds mostly from the north, but a period of moderate S winds possible on thursday afternoon. We are finding wind forecasts to be inaccurate recently so be prepared to react accordingly if the winds change.