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.

N74190311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH
FOR THURSDAY 20 MARCH
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING:

All massive Haute-Savoie: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL THURSDAY EVENING:
Wednesday night cloudy with a few snow showers. Thursday: quite sunny with a sun increasingly warped.

Isothermal 0 800 1000 m.
Wind at 2000 m: North-east, 40 decreasing in the afternoon.
Wind at 4000 m: North 70 km/h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Snow is correct for a mid-March over 1700m, weak at low altitude. It is fitting the skis to 1300 m in northern cold in the valleys. In South direction, it's best to climb to 1800 m in the absence of sub-layer to a lower altitude.

Quality of snow Thursday: Lowest approximately 1800 m, snow will be hard crust or with a thin layer of powder on the surface, then it will become progressively wetter in the sunny slopes. At higher elevations, snow will remain colder, either hard or crusty on southern slope until about 2500 m, a powdery more or less packed, or a hard snow by the wind.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Few slabs, but can be voluminous.

The snowfall from last weekend is now rather well consolidated. However, a few slabs still persist in some places. These slabs tend to be thick and not very easy to trigger.

The main risk will therefore trigger a slab avalanche with the passage of a person and especially with the passage of a group of people, mainly in northern slopes above 2000 meters. These slabs will be sparse but could be quite bulky.

As for spontaneous avalanches, they will be rare. This mostly isolated departures of wet snow avalanches in steep mountain slopes average, especially on sunny slopes.

TREND LATER RISK:
Friday, the risk will increase strongly.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant nivométéorologiques.

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.

N74180311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH
FOR WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie:
Higher than 2000/2200 m: marked risk (level 3)
Lower than 2000/2200 m: limited risk (level 2)

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
Sunny in the morning, in charge of cumulus by passages in the afternoon.
Temperatures: -9 then -5 DG to 2000 m, -18 to the Aiguille du Midi.
Isothermal 0 1200 m.
Wind at 2000 m: North 20 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: Northwest 30/50 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Correct above 1500 m, low at low altitude. It is fitting the skis to 1300 m in northern cold in the valleys. In South direction, it's best to climb to 1800 m in the absence of sub-layer to a lower altitude.
Quality of snow on Wednesday:
Full north, the snow remains fairly mild cold and above 2000 m. The sunny slopes, and those who have seen the fog had already risen up to 2400 m. In the high mountains, the powdery snow keep better but it was still worked in areas prone to wind West. Glaciers are better plugged it remains fragile bridges in the lower elevations.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Slabs especially at altitude

Between Sunday and Monday, 20 to 30 cm of snow fell at 1500 m, 40 to 60 cm above 2500 m, accompanied by westerly winds.

More low as 2000/2200 m, the recent snow is in the process of settling, or even already suppressed in the hills taking a little sun. Some small flows occur in the snow surface orientation South East to South-West at the discretion of the sunshine. The slabs are scarce and small, confined to locations cold and shaded. The risk of triggering a slab is mainly confined to areas behind the usual ridges or under dished.

More than 2000/2200 m high, it remains brittle slabs more and thicker. Some have already served only on Tuesday, particularly in Northwest to 2400 m with breaks neighboring 30/50 cm. It should therefore exercise caution, especially in guidance Northwest, North and East where the winds brought accumulations fragile likely to break the passage of a single hiker. Distrust in steep and sub slope failures, especially in areas with low skiées since the snowfall last Wednesday.

TREND FOR THURSDAY: continuation of the settlement, risk down slightly.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant nivométéorologiques.

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.

N74180311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON TUESDAY 18 MARCH
FOR WEDNESDAY 19 MARCH

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie:
Higher than 2000/2200 m: marked risk (level 3)
Lower than 2000/2200 m: limited risk (level 2)

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
Sunny in the morning, in charge of cumulus by passages in the afternoon.
Temperatures: -9 then -5 DG to 2000 m, -18 to the Aiguille du Midi.
Isothermal 0 1200 m.
Wind at 2000 m: North 20 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: Northwest 30/50 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Correct above 1500 m, low at low altitude. It is fitting the skis to 1300 m in northern cold in the valleys. In South direction, it's best to climb to 1800 m in the absence of sub-layer to a lower altitude.
Quality of snow on Wednesday:
Full north, the snow remains fairly mild cold and above 2000 m. The sunny slopes, and those who have seen the fog had already risen up to 2400 m. In the high mountains, the powdery snow keep better but it was still worked in areas prone to wind West. Glaciers are better plugged it remains fragile bridges in the lower elevations.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Slabs especially at altitude

Between Sunday and Monday, 20 to 30 cm of snow fell at 1500 m, 40 to 60 cm above 2500 m, accompanied by westerly winds.

More low as 2000/2200 m, the recent snow is in the process of settling, or even already suppressed in the hills taking a little sun. Some small flows occur in the snow surface orientation South East to South-West at the discretion of the sunshine. The slabs are scarce and small, confined to locations cold and shaded. The risk of triggering a slab is mainly confined to areas behind the usual ridges or under dished.

More than 2000/2200 m high, it remains brittle slabs more and thicker. Some have already served only on Tuesday, particularly in Northwest to 2400 m with breaks neighboring 30/50 cm. It should therefore exercise caution, especially in guidance Northwest, North and East where the winds brought accumulations fragile likely to break the passage of a single hiker. Distrust in steep and sub slope failures, especially in areas with low skiées since the snowfall last Wednesday.

TREND FOR THURSDAY: continuation of the settlement, risk down slightly.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant nivométéorologiques.

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.

N74170311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF MARKED AND OPEN RUNS)
PREPARED ON MONDAY 17 MARCH
FOR TUESDAY 18 MARCH
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie: higher than 1800/2000 m: marked risk (level 3)
Lower than 1800/2000 m: limited risk (level 2)

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
Latest snow tonight and the sky brightened gently that night. Good weather Tuesday with formation of cumulus clouds along the slopes.
Isothermal 0 1400 m.
Wind at 2000 m: north-east 20 to 40 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: northwest 50 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
The latest snowfall has improved the snow-1500 m. This is still low at lower elevations.
Tuesday, we can put on skis or snowshoes to the feet at approximately 1200 m due north slopes. In the south, even if it is white, there will be no sub-layer up to 1800 meters.

Quality of snow for Tuesday:
It will evolve over a good thick snow that amount will increase in altitude, snow already packed and a bit heavy to below 2000 m above the snow will be blown powder or in areas prone. With the sun, the snow humidifies itself more or less on the surface up to 2200 m in the south.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: An instability by marked locations

Since this weekend, it fell between 20 and 30 cm of snow at 1500 m, 40 to 60 cm above 2500 m, all accompanied by moderate wind from the southwest

The risk of a slab avalanche with the passage of a skier remains present Tuesday. It is therefore necessary to be cautious, especially above 2000 m, as with the approach of peak, breach of slope or a part in a large convex slope, and beware especially of the areas of accumulation of snow formed by the wind. The kiss that will arise during the day could in turn train a few small, localized wind slabs.

In terms of the probability of spontaneous avalanche starting, it will not be very important but the return of the sun should encourage some casting or small avalanches of snow surface in recent heavier and a little wet after a good exposure to the sun. This risk concern the steep slopes East, South and West at altitudes below 2200 m, particularly near rocky areas.

TREND LATER RISK:
Risk down for Wednesday and Thursday.

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

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.

N74160311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON SUNDAY MARCH 16
FOR MONDAY MARCH 17

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie:
Higher than 1800/2000 m: marked risk (level 3)
Lower than 1800/2000 m: limited risk (level 2)

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
Unstable and sometimes stormy, snowfall since 1000 m, decreasing Monday
Layer expected to 2000 m: 20/40 cm blown.
Temperature to 1500 m -1 to +3 dg.

Isothermal 0 1500 m.
Wind at 2000 m: Southwest 30 to 70 km / h decreasing Monday.
Wind at 4000 m: West 70 kph turning northwest in decreasing 40 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
They are scarce in a general way lower than 2000 m above is correct.
In the high mountains, glaciers are in good condition but large cracks are already open and a few snow bridges become fragile.
Monday, we can start skis or snowshoes to toe m since 1200, but often on a layer on the ground until about 1800 meters. In the north, it will be more comfortable with the former hard layer remaining.
Quality of snow for Monday:
It will evolve over a blown snow, sometimes powder in the palm of bowls.
In the high mountains, snow corrugated compacted.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
RATHER POOR ON MANY SLOPES.
In the night from Saturday to Sunday, it fell 5/10cm at 2000 m.
This layer has been tamped down a bit following the temporary light Sunday morning.
But this episode of snow (with wind and snow rolled at times), which continues to form slabs potentially avalanching that even one person can break. This will avoid all areas near the blown passes, caps, broken slopes, senior corridors. Several guidelines can be involved, knowing that in slope between East and North routes, a thicker slab of the past week could be sought (big break).
Some departures will spontaneous forms slabs by overload effect created by the wind (rather breaks on the north slope or at rimayes), some cast in the corridors.

TREND LATER RISK:
Overall stationary risk.

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

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.

N74150311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OUT OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON SATURDAY MARCH 15
FOR SUNDAY MARCH 16
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie: limited risk (level 2).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
Snow tonight above 1800 and 1500 m (10 cm at 2000 m, 15 cm at 2500 m). Sunday, a few light early in the day between the clouds and skies of cumulus once loaded into the second part of the morning and afternoon, with frequent snow showers (5 / 10 cm above 2000 m). The wind was blowing from that night.

Isothermal 0 2000 1700 m.
Isothermal -10 GD: down to 3000 m.
Wind at 2000 m: Southwest 40 to 60 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: West 60 to 80 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Low for a mid-March, especially at low altitude. It is fitting the skis from 1200 to 1300 m through North approximately 1800 m in the South.

Quality of snow for Sunday:
There will be a layer of snow above 1600 m, powder or blown, based on a wet snow below 2000 m, a sub-layer in a little crust north. Above 2000 m, this snow will deposit in adrets on a spring snowpack being subjected often crusty, and the northern slopes on an old cold and snow packed.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Some slabs on the snow

The snow is expected deposit on a rather healthy snowpack still with a few nuances. As these snowfall accompanied by fairly strong winds, a few wind slabs probably will form, so rather localized near the peak or a big break in slope. The passage of a skier could be sufficient in this case to trigger a slab avalanche not very large in general.
On the other hand, below 2300 m, cutting a steep slope that got her going in the sun on Saturday, so rather to East, South and West, a skier could possibly trigger a small avalanche in the snow from doing well underlying wet and covered with snow, rather the morning before the regel gets a little more snowpack in the afternoon.

At the risk of avalanches, it will be low, possibly a small purge in the afternoon in a steep corridor a little more responsible in fresh snow.

TREND LATER RISK:
Continued snowfall Monday, the risk of avalanche is expected to rise a notch.

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

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.

N74130311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OUT OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON THURSDAY 13 MARCH
FOR FRIDAY 14 MARCH
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL FRIDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie: Risk limited (a good level 2) ... That should not be overlooked.

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL FRIDAY EVENING:
Skies partly cloudy tonight still allowing a little subjected.
Good weather Friday, some residual clouds in the morning.

Isothermal 0 2000 2400 m. Isothermal -10 DG: 3900 and 4200 m.
Wind at 2000 m: Slow. Wind at 4000 m: North-west, 70 and 60 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
The lack of snow is evident below 2000 m, the deficit is about 50 cm from the norm in a mid-March. Above 2200 m, the snow was much improved with the recent snowfalls. You can still put on skis since about 1200 m in northern slopes around 1700/1800 m in the south.

Quality of snow for Friday:
More low as 1800 to 2000 m, on skiera on an old snow wetted, regelée and crusty low in the early morning while the sometimes topped with a bit of snow. Snow ramollira surface during the day in the sunny slopes and low levels as well wet or rotten deep in the hills and the sun.
Between 2000 and 2500 m, recency snow is dense and not really snow, slightly south croûtée in the morning. Snow humidifies itself surface to the sun over several hours.
Above 2500 m, the thickness of snow is important, often blown sometimes duster. Small surface wetting day in the slopes more or less south.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Some wet snow avalanches in the sun, fewer slabs in altitude.

Below 2000 m, the risk of avalanche will be quite low in the early morning light through the night regel. Then quickly with the sun, could cast some fear or natural avalanches and heavy wet snow in very steep slopes sunny. The passage of a skier could facilitate the departure of this type of avalanche cutting a slope of wet snow well.

Above 2000 m, snow recent cup is fairly quickly by stabilizing gradually. It will nevertheless still be cautious because some fragile slabs may linger here and there, rather little in the sunny slopes or near peak or large slope failures. These slabs will be possible a few, but they could take a volume of locally important enough snow. Possibility also a few wind slabs at high altitudes.
With redoux to-2000 m, small avalanches surface wet snow will also occur in sunny steep slopes, especially near rocky areas, casting surface that could take a little more volume collecting wet snow at lower altitudes when the configuration of the land is favorable.

TREND LATER RISK: Saturday, the risk of avalanches will be wet up with the spring time, the risk of slabs slacken.
Sunday, the risk of avalanche is on the rise globally due to the bad weather.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant nivométéorologiques.

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.

N74110311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF MARKED AND OPEN AND RUNS)
PREPARED ON TUESDAY 11 MARCH
FOR WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH

ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING: any massive Haute-Savoie.
Unless 1800/2000 m: limited risk (level 2) that evolves marked risk (level 3) in view of redoux and rain averaged mountain.
A more 1800/2000 m: marked risk (level 3) evolves likely (level 4).

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL WEDNESDAY EVENING:
A lot of clouds and rain backed up to about 2000 m on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, 1800 m in Wednesday midday. During the afternoon, the rain/snow fall limit to 1300 m but the intensity of precipitation slackens.
In altitude, heavy snow was blown deposited on the summits (20 2000 m, a 30/40 cm fresh snow since 2200/2300 m often transported / worked by Westerly winds sustained dominant).

Isothermal 0 DG: to 2200 m on the night from Tuesday to Wednesday, 2000 m in mid-day and then down to 1500 m on Wednesday evening. Isothermal -10 DG: 4000 m and 3200 m.
Wind at 2000 m: Southwest 80/60 km / h, turning west on Wednesday afternoon at 50 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: west and then northwest 100/110 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Episodes of bad weather have not been very important this winter, the snow cover is low for a mid-March despite snowfall from this Tuesday. The lack of snow is obvious in the valleys and mountains on average, particularly in southern slope. In the northern slopes, skis can be put on at 1200 meters.
Quality of snow for Wednesday:
Unless 2000/1800 m, the snowpack will become wetter in depth given the redoux and rain announced until Wednesday morning. But Wednesday afternoon, a small layer of snow cover in the final wet snow / rotten.
At1800/2000 m, snow will improve with the snowfall, strong winds will cause transported snow, especially with the approach of passes and ridges (often compacted snow / hardback) . In high mountain crevasses of glaciers, already very apparent to below 3000 m, should be a little recap.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
The snowpack will quickly become unstable in the steep slopes.
On the average mountain, as a result of the rain until 2000/1800 m, many of wet snow avalanches will trigger naturally in steep, and even easier by cutting the slopes on skis.
At 1800/2000 m, the natural avalanche activity will be moderate in the form of slabs rupture / cornices along with a few avalanches of powdery snow.
In contrast, the risk of triggering avalanches with the passage of skier (s) become very early in the morning. Indeed, in areas of blown snow, especially in the area passes and peaks or breaks slopes or near rock bars, a skier could trigger a slab snow compact / mid-sized hard sometimes enough important. In addition, in less windy slopes down, many brittle / fragile slabs (consisting of relatively powdery snow on the surface) may also be triggered by the weight of a skier, even in the near or off the track on large classical skis hikes.

TREND LATER RISK:
The risk drops, more significantly, on average mountain.

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.

N74100311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OUT OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON MONDAY 10 MARCH
FOR TUESDAY 11 MARCH
ESTIMATE OF RISK UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
All massive Haute-Savoie: Below 2000 m: limited risk (level 2)
Above 2000 m: limited risk (level 2) that evolves marked risk (level 3) if the snowfall is continuing well Tuesday.

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL TUESDAY EVENING:
From snow windy during the night when giving 1200/1300 m 15/20 cm-1500 m. Tuesday Cloudy with irregular snowfall since 1000 m in the morning and 1200 m in the afternoon (5 / 10 cm additional possible). The wind was blowing hard enough.

Isothermal 0 DG: 1500 m during the night and then 1300 m Tuesday.
Wind at 2000 m: west / southwest 60 to 40 km / h. Wind at 4000 m: west and then northwest 100 km/h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Episodes of bad weather have not been many important this winter, the snow cover is low for a mid-March. The snowfall expected by Tuesday will improve a little snow, but the sub-layer is often absent at low altitude and up to 1800 m south. A high-altitude glaciers are moderately clogged with cracks already very apparent in-3000 m.

Quality of snow for Tuesday:
We will have fresh snow above 1500 m, or powdery housed in the corners, often blown or cardboard. Areas exposed to the wind well as towards the peaks and bumps will be even dégarnies of snow and therefore hard snow.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER: Some fragile slabs on fresh snow expected.

The risk of avalanches Tuesday relate primarily to the possibility of a slab with the passage of a skier. This risk will be present but is localized. These potential avalanches remain generally modest in size, but a bit more locally heavy in the afternoon when snowfall more intense. It will be guard areas where snow was blown could be deposited and thus form a slabs to vent a little harsh, as towards the peaks or behind a break in slope or a big bump.
On the other hand, in slopes directed primarily Northeast, North and Northwest above 2000 m, the risk of a hard or brittle slab could be slightly higher due to the presence of localized sub - layers, but it will remain fragile fairly localized but sometimes counter-well below peaks.

As for the risk of natural avalanches, it will be limited to a few purges in many steep slopes in the form of small avalanches of snow plus or minus dusters carrying only fresh snow.

TREND LATER RISK: The danger will increase on Tuesday evening and the day Wednesday, wet snow avalanches with rain below 2000 m, brittle slabs at higher altitudes.
Meteo-France updates this newsletter everyday at 16h or sooner if conditions warrant nivométéorologiques.

Chamonix Talks New Venue