Date: 25/08/2020
Conditions Summary
Excellent visibility yesterday and some avalanche activity noted.
One size one slab avalanche triggered by cornice fall in the alpine (2080m) on an easterly aspect. This slab was approximately 20m wide 15cm deep and ran for 50m.
Also of note was pinwheeling on steep N aspect at approximately 1800m.
Great skiing was found in sheltered areas in the sub-alpine.
A shout out to all of the public that have been sending in their photos and observations to feed into the MSC observation team’s field work!
Alpine Hazards
Sub-Alpine Hazards
Daily Discussion
Cold temperatures overnight will help preserve the good skiing on shaded aspects. Solar aspects will have a crust first thing that should break down and become moist in the sun as the day warms up.
There are still some instabilities in the upper snowpack that are reactive to testing. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully. Remember, our main concerns are wind slabs and cornices.
Bring an extra layer as the temperatures cold first thing.
Confidence: Strong
Good observations all around the region yesterday.
Avalanche Problems
Primary Problem
The primary concerns in the alpine are wind slabs and cornices.
Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.
An example of the cornice hazard we are currently concerned with.
Amphitheatre Cornice Blue Lake 24/08/2020 (photo: Matthew Clark)
We need your eyes too. If you’ve been in the backcountry we’d love to know what you have seen. Every little bit helps.
Weather Summary
Partly cloudy. Patchy fog early this morning. Slight (20%) chance of a snow shower this morning. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the early afternoon. (Source: BOM)
