19/08/2018

MAIN RANGE NSW: 
RECENT OBSERVATIONS
UPDATED: 19TH / AUG /2018

REPORT CONFIDENCE: STRONG
CURRENT UNTIL: 20TH / AUG / 2018
OBSERVATION SUMMARY
TREND: DETERIORATING
RECENT OBSERVATIONS
CONSIDERABLE AVALANCHE DANGER.
SUNDAY
Field observations in today are of natural and skier triggered avalanches size 1 over the entire Main Range down to 35cm.
Lots of new snow today falling at 2cm / hr.  The lee slopes will have 3-5 times more loading so be care as slide are happening in these zones. Slides were triggered and witnessed on 25 deg slopes so even simple terrain is unstable ATM 
SATURDAY
​FIELD OBSERVATIONS
Heavy snowfall today and continuing over the weekend . The new 30 cm of snow will be more like 50 by Sunday and this will be sitting on a melt freeze layer. Below this melt freeze layer is a touchy layer of buried surface hoar, so we could see large slabs on lee slopes.  Snow falling to 900m on Saturday night so the whole Main Range will be getting some love from the snow gods. 
OUTLOOK
This added weight on the snowpack will most likely see natural avalanches on steep loaded terrain. The Buried surface hoar below the 15cm of melt freeze will continue to be a issue moving forward so we will continue to monitor its bond strength.
Stay in simple terrain and steer clear of terrain traps and natural hang fire while skiing and touring. Enjoy the touring on the weekend and stay safe.