Gudauri

80 - 100 cm of snow has fallen over the last 7 days, above crusts and weak layers at higher elevations. Be wary of steep areas where these layers could fail under your weight or from smaller movements of surface snow - large avalanches could happen if deeper layers are broken.

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.

When the new snow is hit by sun, especially when cloud traps in the heat, loose snow avalanches are likely. These may also be the trigger for a larger slab avalanche. Be very aware of terrain traps below you and stay out from under steep sunny faces, for example lower Kobi valley.

Recent avalanche activity:

No observations yet after the recent snowfall on March 22nd.

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 45cm of new snow has been measured since Thursday night, with mild temperatures and rain at times on the lower mountain. The new snow has landed on a snowpack with weak facet layers and crusts found in the upper half. Whumphing and very easy failures in testing have been observed. 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.

A cloudy start to Saturday, then more snowfall is forecast from the afternoon and on Sunday. Up to 20 cm more snow could fall. Light winds, mostly from SE freezing level 2150 m.