Chamonix weather forecast snow report from Henry's Avalanche Talk

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74311211
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN SNOW AND AVALANCHE FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON MONDAY 31 DECEMBER
FOR TUESDAY JANUARY 1
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING: Good weather.

Isothermal 0 DG: 2000 m, with cold air at low altitude.
Wind at 2000 m: Slow.
Wind at 4000 m: North-west, 50 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS: They are correct but nothing more. Skiing starts from 800 to 1000 m in general in northern slopes, 1200 meters in the south. The snow is intermittent at altitude following episodes of strong wind: The ridges are sometimes dismantled and bowls are well loaded. Beware of the snow bridges that can be fragile on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow for Tuesday: In mid mountain, you will find mostly powdery snow conditions, but the layer of powder is not very thick and will badly mask a hard, traffolée snow. In southern slopes, the snow will already be a little crusty at low altitude, it will become wet during the day.
In the high mountains and on the high peaks mid-mountain, the snow is mostly hard packed by the wind.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Still a few small, fragile slabs.

Deep down, the snowpack is generally well stabilized. The problems come from the small layer of new snow from Saturday night (about 10 cm). In fact, after more than 15 days of good weather, the recent snow rests, in quite a number of slopes, on an old snow without cohesion, with the exception of slopes facing south.

Therefore, mainly in the eastern, northern, or western hills, it will still be possible to trigger a few small brittle slabs with the transition to a single skier. These slabs are usually in areas of accumulated snow blown by the wind, based on the old powdery snow without cohesion. Despite their low thickness, these possible small slabs can unbalance a skier, therefore attention to the configuration of the terrain and the presence of any rock bars down, or bottlenecks.

As to the risk of spontaneous avalanches, it will be low. Only a tiny cast of wet snow may occur in the southern slopes mid-mountain, mid-day and afternoon, or possibly even a small avalanche carrying snow to the ground on a steep grassy, sunny slope at moderate altitude.

TREND LATER RISK Wednesday, the risk is expected to be down slightly.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74301211
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATING AVALANCHE RISK - HAUTE SAVOIE
Valid off marked and open trails
FOR MONDAY 31 DECEMBER 2007
(Drafted Sunday, December 30)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
All Haute-Savoie masses:
Limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
After a starry and cold night, Monday will be sunny.

Isothermal 0 DG: plain in the morning and then to 1400 m in mid-day and afternoon.
Isothermal -10 DG: 3000 m and 3600 m.
Wind at 2000 m: north-east 40 then 20 km/h.
Wind at 4000 m: North 70 and 60 km/h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are correct for late December but no more, despite the small fresh snowfall to the bottom of the valley that fell Saturday night (5 to 10 cm depending on the altitude).
The skiable limit is 800/1000 m generally in northern slopes, 1100 meters in the south.
The snow is intermittent at altitude following episodes of strong wind. The ridges are sometimes dismantled and bowls are well loaded. Beware of the snow bridges that can be fragile on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow for Monday: Early snow and fresh powder will be generally pleasant to ski, except in some places where it will be cardboard-like because of the north wind to the north-east, especially in the vicinity of the passes and ridges.
Moreover, in the southern hills, this small layer of snow resting on a snow crust, begin to grow and humidify slightly in the sun around midday and afternoon, at least on average mountains.
The thickness of the snow will be enough to hide the old traces more or less frozen hard or locally. Areas close to the peaks and high altitude will be well worked by the wind, often hard with a little snow on the surface.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Small fragile slabs scattered but thin.

Recent snowfall (about 10 cm in total) will bring a little instability on the snowpack surface. In fact, after more than 15 days of good weather, the recent snow and mild or cardboard/compacted in windy areas,will often rest on old, powdery snow, but without cohesion (angular grains and ice surface now buried) in the slopes with little or no sun this time of year.

Therefore, in the eastern, northern and western hills, it will be possible to trigger some small brittle slabs with the passage of a skier, we will talk instead of the slabs considering low thickness. But we must still be cautious, because this risk may be present in the midst of a slope in the shade and away from the peaks, particularly if the sector has seen little use in recent times (much less risk on the slopes usually skied: normal channels of the great classics and near pisted slopes by skiers in the last 15 days).
Despite their low thickness, these possible small slabs can unbalance a skier, therefore attention to the configuration of the terrain and the presence of any rock bars down or bottlenecks.

With the wind from the north to north-east, a few slabs will also form from wind, rather towards the peaks and bumps, especially in the high mountains.

As to the risk of natural avalanches, it will be limited to a few surface flows of recent wet snow in the southern slopes of less than 2000 m, mid-day and afternoon.

TREND LATER RISK:
Tuesday, the risks are expected to remain stationary.

Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74291211
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN - HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF MARKED AND OPEN AND RUNS )
PREPARED ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 29
FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 30
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
All masses Haute-Savoie: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
Light snowfall until Sunday noon (ten cm and a little windy), then clarified.

Isothermal 0 1500 1000 m.
Isothermal -10 GD: down to 2500 m.
Wind at 2000 m: 40 west then north-east 30 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: 40 west then north 60 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are correct for late December but nothing more. The skiable limit is 800/1000 m and generally in northern slopes, 1200 meters in the south.
The snow is intermittent at altitude following episodes of strong wind. The ridges are sometimes dismantled and bowls are well loaded. Beware of the snow bridges that can be fragile on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow for Sunday: Early snow and fresh powder expected to be pleasant but skiing thickness will be insufficient to mask the more or less hard or frozen, old traces.  On southern slopes, the snow will deposit on a crusty snow. Areas close to the peaks and high altitude will be well worked by the wind, often hard with a little snow on the surface.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Small fragile, slabs but not very thick.

The low snowfall (about 10 cm in total) will be a little unstable surface snowpack. In fact, after more than 15 days of good weather, the snow will deposit on an old aspect of powdery snow, but without cohesion in the slopes with little or no sun, which are numerous at this time of year, and especially where snow was little worked by the wind in recent days and barely frequented by skiers.
Therefore, in the eastern, northern, and western slopes, it will be possible to trigger some small brittle  slabs with the passage of a skier, we will talk instead of the low slabs saw thick. But we must still be cautious, because this risk may be present in the midst of a slope in the shade and away from the peaks, particularly if the sector has seen only a little use recently. And despite their low thickness, these possible small slabs can unbalance a skier, therefore pay attention to the configuration of the terrain.
With the wind, some wind slabs will also form at altitude, rather towards the peaks and bumps.

As to the risk of natural avalanches, it will be very low.

TREND LATER RISK: Monday and Tuesday, the risks are expected to remain stationary or slightly down
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74271211
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN - HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OUT OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER
FOR FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL FRIDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute: Low risk (level 1) that evolves to limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL FRIDAY NIGHT: Good weather in the mountains.

Isothermal 0 DG: 2300 m with cold air at low altitude.
Wind at 2000 m: Slow.
Wind at 4000 m: Northeast, 50 and 20 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:

They are good for late December. We can fit the skis at 800 meters in northern slopes, 1000 meters in the south. At altitude, we find significant snow variations following strong winds. The ridges are sometimes bare and the garret charged. Beware of fragile snow bridges on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow on Friday: At mid-mountain, we will meet changing conditions: on southern slopes, snow is softening crust, in northern slopes snow is often hard from the wind, the areas of powdery snow are rare given the numerous ski tracks. In the high mountains, the snow will remain hard or cardboard-like.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Risk ... Almost low.

The latest snowfall is older than two weeks, and the structure of the snow cover is generally healthy (the few bad fragile, undercoats present in the high mountains are in most cases highly buried).

The probability of a small slab avalanche is possible and cannot be totally excluded where snow has remained cold. It will be méfiera especially in very steep or areas where not a lot of skiers have been.

The spontaneous avalanche activity remains very small. However, a few departures carrying all snow to the ground will still be probable on average mountains, mainly in the afternoon on southeast orientations to the southwest of steep, grassy slopes on grass not yet purged.

TREND SUBSEQUENT RISK:
From Saturday to Tuesday, the risk will be stationary and then a slight decline.

Météo updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or earlier if conditions warrant.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74261211
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN - HAUTE SAVOIE
VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS )
PREPARED ON WEDNESDAY 26 DECEMBER
FOR THURSDAY DECEMBER 27

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING:
Good weather returns in the mountains.

Isothermal 0 DG: 1800 m with cold air at low altitude.
Wind at 2000 m: North-east 20 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: North-east 40 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are very good for late December. Skiing limits start at 800 m in the north and approximately 1000 m in the south. At altitude, we find significant variations in the snow continuing with the winds that blew hard last week. The ridges are sometimes dégarnies and bowls are well loaded. Beware of the snow bridges that can be fragile on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow Thursday: On the average mountain, we will meet changing conditions: in a southern slope snow or croûtée is softening a bit during the day, in northern slopes the snow is mostly cardboard like from the wind, the areas of powdery snow are rare given the numerous ski tracks. In the high mountains, the snow will remain tough and cardboard-like.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Snow cover is well stabilized as a whole.

The last snowfall dates back to two weeks and the structure of the snowpack is not unhealthy.

The risk of a slab avalanche cannot be completely ruled out, especially in the high mountains in the Mont Blanc massif because of fairly recent episodes.  However, any slabs are highly localized and not always easy to trigger.

As for spontaneous avalanches, rare departures carrying snow to the ground will still be possible, mainly in south-east direction to the southwest. These potential avalanches are moderate-sized, the focus on steep slopes with grass mid-mountain.

TREND LATER RISK: From Friday to Sunday, the risk is to remain unchanged.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant.

just a reminder....

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74221211
BULLETIN SNOW AND AVALANCHE FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OUT OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON SATURDAY DECEMBER 22
FOR SUNDAY DECEMBER 23

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
Chablais and Aravis: low risk (level 1).
Massif du Mont Blanc: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
Calm and dry temperatures, a little hazy sunshine. Maximum temperature at 1500 m: +3 GD.
Isothermal 0 1900 2200 m.
Wind at 2000 m: Is 10/20 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: South-east 20 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are very good for late December. It is possible to ski slopes at 800 m in the north, approximately 1000 m in the south. In altitude, there are wide variations of snow to be found following the winds that blew hard in many different directions. The ridges are sometimes dégarnies and bowls are well loaded. Caution with fragile snow bridges on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow on Sunday: an average mountain slopes northwest to north-east sheltered from the old Bise are pleasant to ski powder. In the southern slopes, snow is usually croûtée. In areas exposed to wind and in the high mountains, the snow is hard and cardboard.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: a few slabs in some places

The snowpack is well stabilized as a whole. On average mountains, a slab avalanche could be triggered with the passage of one or more skiers confined in steep mainly west, north and north-east slopes.  Stay vigilant in the vicinity of ridges where the wind blew and sub breaks slopes. In high mountain in the Mont Blanc massif, the wind has blown in recent days. The risk is a little more important: the slabs were formed, probably quite hard but sensitive to the passage of a group of skiers and hikers.

On the other hand, a low risk of a small avalanches persists in mid mountain. On some south-east to south-west facing slopes, slabs can crack on soil and steep grassy areas and then stall carrying snow to the ground.

TREND FOR MONDAY:
Risk stationary or slightly decreasing.

Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74211211  - SNOW BULLETIN FOR AVALANCHE RISK - HAUTE SAVOIE
VALID OFF TRACKED AND OPEN TRAILS)
PREPARED ON FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER
FOR SATURDAY DECEMBER 22

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL SATURDAY EVENING:
Chablais and Aravis: Low risk (level 1).
Massif du Mont Blanc: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL SATURDAY NIGHT: Beautiful temperatures becoming cloudy.

Isothermal 0 DG: 2000 m, with cold air in the valley bottoms.
Wind at 2000 m: Slow.
Wind at 4000 m: South 40 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are excellent for mid-December with a base like at high altitude! There is skiing from 800 m in northern slopes, 1000 meters in the south. In altitude, we find significant variations in thickness of snow following the winds that blew hard in different directions. Caution with the snow bridges that can still be fragile on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow for Saturday:
At mid mountain, you will find especially good old powdery snow in particular at low altitude with ice surface, except in the southern slopes where snow is transformed croûtée the morning and then a little wet in the afternoon. At high altitude in the Mont Blanc massif, as well as in some other sectors exposed to wind, snow, but not powdery or cardboard hard by the wind with ski conditions are not very pleasant.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Risk of slabs a little less weak in the Mont Blanc massif.

After ten days of fine weather, the snowpack is now well stabilized as a whole, with a few nuances.

On average Mountains, which could trigger a slab avalanche with the passage of one or more skier continue to be increasingly localized, located rather to the high peaks in areas of blown snow. In high mountain in the Mont Blanc, the risk of slabs formed by the wind will remain slightly higher because of wind that blew over several days.

On the other hand, in some steep slopes, mid-mountain oriented south-east to south-west, there will still be a very small risk of avalanches, small or medium-sized, carrying snow to the ground. However, the decline in sunlight compared to the last few days will tend to mitigate this risk, the thaw to be less good.

TREND LATER RISK:
Until Tuesday, Christmas Day, the risk will remain unchanged or go down slightly.

Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant.

Firm under foot or is it?

After the amazing snow conditions of last week the sun and skiers enjoying it have left us with little powder to be had but lots of firm skiing on and off piste..or are there hidden gems out there? 20 min drive and a border later(think Italy) the skiing is still light and fluffy. But if you are heading out there be aware of the wind and the loading of slopes thats been taking place, its always a reality and a real danger.keep alert and rip it.

Avalanche bulletin and weather forecast Haute Savoie

This avalanche translation of the Meteo France avalanche bulletin is produced mainly through an automated translation tool. Please use it in conjunction with the French bulletin found at the above link.

N74191211
BULLETIN FOR ESTIMATE OF AVALANCHE RISK - HAUTE SAVOIE
Valid off marked trails and open
FOR THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER 2007
(Drafted Wednesday, December 19)

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING:
All masses - Haute Savoie: Limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING:
Good weather, with a few softer gusty foehn in the Mont Blanc.

Isothermal 0 DG: 2200 m with inversion temperatures at low altitudes.
Isothermal -10 DG: 3900 m
Wind at 2000 m: Slow of Southeast gusty foehn at the foot of Mont Blanc.
Wind at 4000 m: Southeast 70 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are excellent for mid-December, with a base like at high altitude! We can ski from 800 meters in northern slopes, about 1000 m in the south. At altitude, we find significant variations in the thickness of  the snow due to winds that have been blowing hard in all different directions. Attention all the same with snow bridges that can still be fragile on the lower parts of the glaciers.

Quality of snow for Thursday:
On average, the mountain has predominately a good old powdery snow in particular at low altitude with ice surface, except in the southern slopes where snow is transformed croûtée in the morning then a little wet in the afternoon. At high altitudes in the Mont Blanc massif, as well as in some other areas of massive exposed to wind, snow, but not powdery or cardboard hard by the wind with a not very pleasant ski.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Some wind slabs aloft and a small activity avalancheuse due to melting.

After a week of good weather, the snow is now well stabilized as a whole with a few nuances.

At the risk of triggering a slab avalanche with the passage of a skier, it is well located to an average of mountain peaks, where the snow was blown. Possible slabs are few on average on the mountain. In the high mountains, in the Mont Blanc, the risk of wind slabs is probably more important, but perhaps slabs are more difficult to break.

With the rebound, there will be small avalanche activity on average on natural mountain slopes in the more or less south. Indeed, in a very steep slope after several hours of sunshine, a few wet snow avalanches could start spontaneously beating most often as the snow surface. The passage of a skier could facilitate the departure of this type of avalanche cutting a steep ski slope heavily exposed to the sun.
On the other hand, still in a very steep slope south-east to south-west, it is still possible, but quite rare for a spontaneous avalanche outweighs any snow to the ground if the ground is grassy or has rock slabs.

TREND SUBSEQUENT RISK:
Without major change by the end of the week, maybe slightly down this weekend.

Météo updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or earlier if conditions nivométéorologiques warrant.