Gudauri

The recent new snow sits above a melt-freeze crust which might not be well bonded at lower elevations. There are also weak snow layers under this crust at higher elevations that could break under the storm snow. Be wary of steep areas where these layers could fail under your weight.

Weak, sugary snow has been found in the upper and mid snowpack at higher elevations on various aspects, in some areas above a crust. Whumphing has been observed in some places. Large slab avalanches could be triggered by the additional weight of new snow or by a smaller surface avalanche. These problems will be worse in the north of the region and areas where the snow is shallower.

Yesterday there was some evidence of recent wind loading on N aspects in the High Alpine elevations. This may have continued during the night, and with potentially moderate SW winds forecast for this afternoon, the likelihood of wind slab on NW aspects on specific terrain features will be increasing during the day.

Wet snow and rain below 2000 m, means small loose wet slides could occur naturally or triggered by riders in steep areas. These may also be the trigger for a larger slab avalanche. Be very aware of terrain traps around you.

Recent avalanche activity:

21 March - Natural size 3 storm slab, SW aspect, in Kobe Valley next to the waterfall, likely triggered by loose wet avalanche. Several size 1 to 2 slab avalanches on W and SE aspects with some evidence of step-down between layers.

20 March - Natural size 3 storm slab, S side of Sadzele 3200 m, and another nearby size 3 avalanche on SW side of Konstitucion (Black Ridge) at 3100m. Both of these were likely triggered by smaller loose wet slides from above. Several recent natural slab avalanches on Lomisa Ridge (NE aspect). A report of a probable size 2 skier triggered slide on a shady aspect in Kobe valley. Multiple small loose wet slides on S aspects.

19 March - Skier triggered size 1 storm slab, Kobi valley, NE, 2900 m.

18 March - Natural size 2 loose wet / storm slab SW aspect 3100 m near Sadzele. Multiple skier-triggered size 1 storm slabs, 2500 m NE, Lower Kobi valley.

Glide slabs continue to be active on multiple aspects (more commonly E, S and W), 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:

Around 5-15cm of new snow fell last night, adding to the 60cm which has fallen since Saturday. The new snow is sitting on a melt-freeze crust in many areas, even on N aspects in some locations, and below this is a combination of facet layers and crusts - the top two facet layers are creating whumphing and very easy failures in testing. You should check the snow carefully before riding as these layers have potential to form quite big avalanches with light loads. Cornices in some locations along ridge tops are getting large (particularly on Lomisa Ridge), treat them with respect.

Light trending to moderate SE winds. Around 15 to 20 cm of new snow is forecast over the next 24 hours. Freezing level between 2200 m during the day and 1700 m tonight.