Gudauri

Several persistent slabs have been triggered deeper down by recent wind slabs. The result is large and very large avalanches. Widespread shooting cracking, collapsing, and whumping show these layers are not stable. These layers caused by a rider's weight could trigger large avalanches on slopes of more than 30 degrees. Dig somewhere representative of the slope you want to ride before you drop in to see if you can find these weaknesses. Know that just because you might not get a sensitive result, does not mean the problem is not reactive.

With a remote trigger, be aware that you could still trigger an avalanche nearby on slopes that are connected to avalanche terrain and areas where the avalanches can run out below, even if this terrain is less than 30 degrees. These have been reported over the last couple days.

Watch out for build-ups or pillows of wind-deposited snow around ridges. Wind directions appear to be primarily from NNW , but cornices can be seen on most aspects with the recent winds and contouring around the peaks.

Look for cornices, blowing snow and snow that is rippled and crusty and expect that the other side of the ridge, you could find wind slabs. These should heal over the next several days, as the winds are decreasing and the snowpack will have time to adjust to the new load.

Even a small slab has been triggering the weaker layers buried lower in the snowpack, resulting in large to very avalanches. If you see build-ups or pillows of wind-deposited snow, choose small, safe test slopes for ski tests or use hand shear tests to see how reactive the snow is before dropping in off of the ridgelines.

Natural avalanches continue to be seen throughout the valley, especially with the recent winds, these have happened near the ridgelines. People have reported widespread whumping, cracks, and collapse of the snowpack on all aspects and elevations as well as human triggered avalanches, especially remotely triggered. The recent natural avalanches seen were windslabs that then triggered persistent weak layers further down in the snowpack. This could possibly be the suncrust and surface facets that are now about 25cm-60cm down under the consolidated storm slab.

Collapsing, cracking, and whumphing occured while investigating low angle terrain near Kobi village around 1980m- 2050m Here is the snowpack profile from a pit we dug on 26.02.2025: https:snowpilot.org/node/73208 Results: ECTP13 @ 45cm 2030m. Surface hoar and facets seen in the layer that failed.

Recent avalanches: 2 size 1 avalanches on NE aspect around 2500m observed 27.02 on Miketi, 27.02: 2 avalanches observed near Lomisa. 1 avalanche NW of skin track size 3-4 fresh windslab triggered the persistent slab and gullies are filled with debris around 2300m NNW aspect. 2nd: Size 4 also fresh windslab triggered persistent slab, debris almost to river NW of Lomisa around 2300m NE aspect. 26.02 NE aspect at 2045m in Kobi Valley triggered windslab down to persistent weak layer from ridge. There is a video on the Facebook: Georgian Avalanche and Snow Conditions Page. 26.02 NNE aspect Lomisa to ground per reporter. Several new size 1-2 windslabs and persistent slabs seen on NE faces Lomisa to Miketi as well as size 2 SE on Sadzele W.

Over the past 3 days there have been moderate to strong winds from predominately NNW with blowing snow observed. There is significant amount of snow that was available to be transported into windslabs and triggered the deeper layers of the snowpack to fail.

Before the storm, surface hoar layers and weak, sugary layers around crusts and hard slabs were seen in the snowpack on various aspects and elevations. These layers caused easy failures in snow tests. Many areas also have a layer of sugary crystals at or near the ground. With the weight of the new snow, these layers are not to be trusted and need to be checked carefully.

Over the next several days: It is expected to stay cold with the sun coming out after today. Today minimal precipitation is expected. At 3000m winds predicted primarily from the NW.