Gudauri
Natural avalanches are possible, human-triggered avalanches are likely. Small avalanches in many areas, or large avalanches in specific areas, or very large avalanches in isolated areas.
Up to 40 - 50 cm of new snow fell yesterday, and winds today can increase the danger as the fresh snow gets moved onto sheltered slopes. Be cautious and test the snow layers carefully before you commit to an avalanche slope.
Forecast issued at: 7 February 2024 08:00
Forecast valid until: 8 February 2024 08:00
Forecaster: Manu Greer
High Alpine
> 2600m
3 Considerable
Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.
Alpine
2000m - 2600m
3 Considerable
Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.
Sub Alpine
< 2000m
2 Moderate
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
Avalanche Problems
Storm Slab
With 40cm of new snow within the last 24 hrs, soft slabs could be unstable on steep slopes on all aspects except West-facing high alpine slopes. Warming and sun at lower elevations might make the new snow layer unstable. The new snow needs a little more time to settle and bond to the previous surface.
| Sensitivity | The specific avalanche problem type is reactive to human rider triggers. Easy to trigger with ski cut. |
| Distribution | Many locations. Evidence for instabilities is frequently found, in many locations. |
| Time of Day | All day |
| Trend | Improving |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Wind Slab
Wind slabs will be forming especially in the high alpine near ridges. There are already previous windslabs in these areas that could still be reactive.
| Sensitivity | The specific avalanche problem type is reactive to human rider triggers. Easy to trigger with ski cut. |
| Distribution | Specific areas, with common characteristics. Evidence for instabilities exists, but it is not obvious and finding it requires careful observations. |
| Time of Day | All day |
| Trend | Deteriorating |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Loose Dry
Loose new snow can be triggered by skiers on steep terrain.
| Sensitivity | The specific avalanche problem type is reactive to human rider triggers. Easy to trigger with ski cut. |
| Distribution | Specific areas, with common characteristics. Evidence for instabilities exists, but it is not obvious and finding it requires careful observations. |
| Time of Day | All day |
| Trend | Improving |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Persistent Slab
Weak snow has been seen in the region, around buried crusts and in areas with shallow snow depth. If these weak layers have enough dense snow above them, destructive avalanches could be triggered. The problem is worse in the north of the region where the snow is shallower.
| Sensitivity | The specific avalanche problem type is difficult to trigger with a human rider. |
| Distribution | Specific areas, with common characteristics. Evidence for instabilities exists, but it is not obvious and finding it requires careful observations. |
| Time of Day | All day |
| Trend | Deteriorating |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Recent Avalanches and Snowpack
Recent avalanche activity:
7 February - multiple size 2 - 3 wind / storm slab avalanches seen Lomisa - Miketi ridgeline, E aspects 2100 - 2300m. 4 February - size 1 wind slab near Sioni valley, 2000m, N aspect - failed on weak snow near the ground. 31 Jan (suspected, exact date unknown): Size 1 windslabs on S aspects, 3200 m and 2900 m, little and big Sadzele.
Glide slabs continue to be active on multiple aspects below about 2600m, some up to size 2.
Snowpack: 40 - 50 cm of new snow fell on Tuesday 7th, with W winds at times at high elevations Older wind slabs on the E and NE faces were found to be reactive a couple of days ago. Melt-freeze crusts can be found at lower elevations and sunny aspects, and there can be weak snow layers around these crusts. In the south of the forecast area underlying snowpack is generally stable, especially at lower elevations (below 2000m). In northern areas (North of Kobi valley), the snowpack is thinner and critical weaknesses around crusts, and at the ground, have been found. Watch out for weak, sugary (faceted) snow in areas where the snow is shallow, and crust/facet layers. Check out recent snow profiles (or add your own!) at snowpilot.org
Weather
Recent weather: 40cm of snow fell overnight and Tuesday morning with little wind at lower elevations but stronger W winds possible higher up.
Forecast: Clearing Wednesday morning, some cloud in the afternoon. SW / W winds gusting up to 50km/h around the tops. Freezing level 1800m.
Disclaimer
Our avalanche forecasters are internationally qualified and experienced professionals, and data is provided by skilled observers. We encourage you to make your own observations and decisions, without relying solely on our forecast, since any forecast is a generalised 'best guess', and in certain cases it might be inaccurate. We can not be held liable for any actions you take in the backcountry that may result in injury, loss or death.