NORTH EAST VIC
CONDITIONS SUMMARY
UPDATED: 16th SEPTEMBER 2019
REPORT CONFIDENCE: STRONG
CURRENT UNTIL: 20th SEPTEMBER 2019
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IMPORTANT: The following information is provided in good faith. Both the observation and forecasting methods used to provide this summary are not consistent with international standard. They are based in the collective experience of those providing input on the conditions, the hazards and the respective rating if provided. Due to both the spatial and often subjective nature of the observation input available, forecasting is at best an estimate. Understanding, knowledge and practise in self assessment of alpine hazards is crucial to safe backcountry travel in all alpine areas covered here.
CONDITIONS SUMMARY
Observations 10th September.
Pretty poor conditions out on the range ATM. Rain on already wet snow is creating a wet slide avalanche hazard on all aspects with the greater consequence on aspects east and north where the deposition and transportation occurred early last week. Should see a hardening of the snowpack overnight and a return of the corn harvest, with a potential for fresh snow dustings on top. Take care as the pack finds the ‘re-freeze’ with crusts forming, particularly later in the day on Tuesday.
OBSERVED HAZARDS & ACTIVITY
Wet slides on all aspects.
PRIMARY HAZARD: WET SLIDES
Current Snowpack Conditions
There is an saturated snowpack with a vaguely discernible density transition on leeward aspects (South East through to North) at between 35-70cm depending terrain specifics. The wet snow has in places overwhelmed this interface with small wet slides naturally occurring on unsupported features.
CONDITIONS Outlook
IMPROVING / ONGOING / DETERIORATING
Muck at the moment with a warm wet cycle that will bump out with a weak cold system. A return to frozen snow and then a melt/freeze cycle prevailing for the week until Friday and another warm / turning cold, front arrives.
Mount Hotham RESORT
BACKCOUNTRY CONDITIONS:
Probably not the best day for the back-country. Rain and poor visibility with the chance of a thunderstorm this morning, and the moisture overnight will have soaked the snowpack making for poor soft turns off piste. There is also the chance of wet snow avalanches on steep slopes in the back-country today. Much better off sticking to the groomed runs withing the resort until we have had a proper overnight freeze. Take care if you must head out there. BB
