Gudauri

Up to 20cm of new snow with light to moderate winds could create reactive areas of storm slab over the next 2 days. Most will be small but in some areas where a firm, wind-scoured surface is present (e.g. high alpine W faces), larger slides might be possible.

Old windslabs on NE, E and SE aspects will be stubborn but still possible with heavy loads, e.g. a few people standing together. Smaller new slabs could develop from Tuesday afternoon in alpine and high alpine areas sheltered from the moderate SW winds - these will be more reactive.

Glide cracks and full-depth glide avalanches are common around this area, and this time of year they begin to be more of a problem. These avalanches can release randomly on all aspects, even at night, although rapid warming makes them more likely. This problem will continue for the rest of the season. Do not stop under steep areas if there are cracks above you. Remember that new snow or wind-drifting can disguise these cracks.

Facetted, weak layer above a melt-freeze crust. Needs a large trigger, such as a smaller avalanche, to set it off. Only found on an E aspect so far, but may also exist on S and W too in certain spots. Have a dig, and let us know your observations!

6th January - size 1, probably skier triggered, wind slab seen near ski area (Khada valley), SW aspect, 2700m, 35 degrees. Small cornice and windslab releases along Lomisa ridge.

7th January - large size 2 windslab debris seen in Milioni valley, 2400m, E, 35 degrees (probably happened on 5th).

8th January - multiple new glide slabs up to size 2 seen around Gudauri backcountry, most aspects below 3000m.

Snowpack: 4-5 Jan new snow and windslabs now seem well bonded, but some pockets could still be triggered. No propagation result in recent tests on N aspect 2100m and NE aspect 3000m, Arakhveti and Milioni. Faceted snow was seen in the Milioni pit, which was in a shallow spot (70cm) close to rocks and the ridge. A melt-freeze crust with facets above has been found on an E aspect at 2970m, Bidara. Snow at lower elevations and sunny aspects was becoming unstable in the last 2 days.

Check recent profiles at snowpilot.org

Today (8th Jan) we had warm temperatures with a freezing level of 2500m, and the sky was mostly cloudy with some sunny periods. Over the next 2 days the forecast area is expecting light snow, mostly falling on Tuesday but showers possible on Wednesday, total of around 20cm. Winds are forecast to be light to moderate SW. Freezing level 1900m tomorrow dropping to 750m late Wednesday.