Avalanche Forecast
Regions: Spray - KLakes.
Windy on Tuesday with a bit of new snow coming. Probably not enough snow to reset the tracks or change the hazard level. Ice climbers beware of overhead hazard.
Confidence
Moderate
Avalanche Summary
Nothing observed or reported.
Snowpack Summary
There is an average of 40-50cm of snow from valley bottom near the Spray road all the way up to Burstall Pass. This snowpack is faceted and weak, so do not be surprised to bump into things just under the snow(rock sharks and trees). There are some wind slabs out there, mostly where you'd expect them: in lee features and in cross loaded gullies.
Highwood pass has more snow but has seen more wind and traffic! The few cms of snow did little to improve the skiing and or raise the avalanche danger.
What is important is that in both areas the Nov 16th surface hoar has now been buried and may be an issue further down the road.
Weather Summary
Strong winds near 100km/h on Tuesday morning will usher in light snowfalls with accummulations
More details can be found in the Mountain Weather Forecast.
Terrain and Travel Advice
- Ice climbers should be equipped with avalanche safety gear.
- Be careful with wind slabs, especially in steep, unsupported and/or convex terrain features.
Avalanche Problems
Wind Slabs
Watch for wind slabs in lee and cross-loaded terrain. Features of concern include gullies and just below ridgecrests.
Aspects: North, North East, East, South East.
Elevations: Alpine.
Likelihood: Unlikely - Possible
Expected Size: 1 - 2