Date / Region: 04/07/2020 NSWMainRange
Report Confidence:
MODERATE
Alpine Conditions
Sub-Alpine Conditions
Mountain environments can be categorised as above or below the tree line, thus Alpine and Subalpine respectively. Find out more about how these types of terrain can create or mitigate backcountry hazards here.
Travel & Terrain advice:
Potential avalanche hazard – storm slab/wind slab - on lee slopes over 30 degrees in the Alpine. Below treeline there will still be plenty of exposed bushes and rocks, possibly just hidden below the surface. New snow should be light and dry. Be cautious, if you can find obstacle-free lower angle slopes with good visibility, the rewards will be there.
We are always keen to know what you found out there on your tour. Share your field observations in the Main Range NSW.
Observations Summary 3rd July
Snow Surface Conditions Summary
5cm of new snow, suprisingly light and dry. Alpine not assessed. Sub-alpine snowpack, although supported by a melt-freeze layer, was barely navigable with bushes & rocks and not enough clear space to link any turns. With the predicted snowfall overnight, this should improve.
5cm of new snow mixed with graupel, on top of a melt-freeze base. Snow depth below treeline averaging 25cm.
Alpine depth: no observations
Snow condition: no observations
Sub-Alpine depth: 25 cm
Snow condition: Light and dry
Windward snowpack expected to be very shallow and un-navigable due to exposed bushes and rocks.
Weather Summary
A cold front is moving through on Friday night, bringing a good dump of snow to the Main Range. With sub-zero temps overnight, the fresh snow on Saturday should be light and dry. SW winds ranging from 20 to 30 kmh through the day, possible gusts to 45kmh.