Gudauri
Natural and human-triggered avalanches are unlikely. Small avalanches in isolated areas or extreme terrain.
A small amount of recent new snow, moved by wind at high elevations, means there is a possibility of loose snow and windslab avalanches, running on recent melt-freeze crusts.
Forecast issued at: 26 February 2024 22:00
Forecast valid until: 28 February 2024 22:00
Forecaster: Manu Greer
High Alpine
> 2600m
1 Low
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Alpine
2000m - 2600m
1 Low
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Sub Alpine
< 2000m
1 Low
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Loose Dry
Recent snow has fallen on top of hard crust on all aspects. On shady aspects there are weak, sugary, and non-cohesive snow crystals at the surface. Small loose dry 'sluffs' moving on the crust layers have been observed in the past week. Keep this in mind when approaching steep terrain with hazards like rocks or cliffs below.
| 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 | No change |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Wind Slab
Small areas of windslab could be found near ridges on a range of aspects due to recent N/NE winds moving snow in the last few days. They could run fast on buried crust layers.
| 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. |
| Trend | Improving |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Persistent Slab
Weak, facetted snow layers have been found around buried mid-pack crusts and in areas with shallow snow depth. The problem is worse in the north of the region where the snow is shallower. With recent warm temperatures these layers should have stabilised at lower elevations, but remain cautious on steep terrain.
| Sensitivity | The specific avalanche problem type is difficult to trigger with a human rider. |
| Distribution | A few, isolated locations; evidence for instabilities is rare and hard to find. |
| Time of Day | All day |
| Trend | Improving |
| Confidence | Moderate |
Recent Avalanches and Snowpack
Recent avalanche activity:
A few small dry loose slides in steep areas reported over the last week.
Glide slabs continue to be active on multiple aspects (more commonly E, S and W) below about 2600 m, some up to size 2. These can release at any time - if you see cracks in the snow, do not stop under these areas!
Snowpack:
The small amount of new snow (15 - 20 cm) that fell over the last week was moved by recent winds. There are melt-freeze crusts on most aspects under the recent snow layer, extending up to about 2800 on N slopes, higher on S slopes. Cold night temperatures are creating surface facets and surface hoar (a weak layer on top of the snowpack). Buried crusts and weak layers could still be found deeper in the snowpack in some places, especially on N aspects at higher elevations. Watch out for sugary (faceted) snow in areas where the snow is shallow.
Check out recent snow profiles (or add your own!) at snowpilot.org
Weather
Cool air temperatures have persisted but the sun has been strong. A cloud layer has been hanging around below about 2400 m. Fine weather with light N winds for the next 3 days. Freezing level 1200 m Tuesday rising to 2100 m Thursday
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.