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.

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

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.

N74090311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED RUNS)
PREPARED ON SUNDAY MARCH 9
FOR MONDAY MARCH 10

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

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL MONDAY EVENING:
Tonight 5cm of snow at 1500 m. Monday calm with the sun veiled then back to snow late afternoon. Stormy winds from the southwest Monday afternoon.
Temperatures 1500 m: -1 / 0 to +4 dg.

Isothermal 0 1400 and 1500/1800 Monday m.
Wind at 2000 m: Southwest turbulent 50/70 kph, stormy Monday afternoon rafales100 km / h.
Wind at 4000 m: Southwest 60 and 100 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Episodes of bad weather have not been very important this winter, the snow cover is low for early March. The slopes between south and west often have very little snow until about 1500 m, and even in 1800/2000 m steep. A high-altitude glaciers are generally in good condition but with already more beautiful crevasses.

For Monday:
The conditions do not change, departures on skis or snowshoes to toe will be from 1200 m, but with just a few cm of snow on the ground in the north will be more comfortable with the former hard layer but fine. Then taking the altitude, it will evolve on a more or less snow blown. The bumps and ridges of snow was icy.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Slabs located.
The snowpack will remain throughout much stabilized. Some, however, deserve slopes vigilance because of the passage of one or more persons might break a slab and trigger an avalanche. Typically modest in size, but that should not be overlooked.
These more fragile areas will be located rather close to the caps, collars, sometimes in the corridors, in directions north and steep. At high altitudes, most diverse directions may be concerned but still localized risk.
The risks of a voluntary departure is expected to be very low, possibly a fracture slab by overloading of the transport of snow.

TREND LATER RISK:
Towards risk rising 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.

N74080311
SNOW AND AVALANCHE BULLETIN FOR HAUTE SAVOIE
(VALID OFF OF OPEN AND MARKED TRAILS)
PREPARED ON SATURDAY MARCH 8
FOR SUNDAY MARCH 9

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

WEATHER OVERVIEW UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING:
Clear the next night, then Sunday sun increasingly warped. In the massive Mt Blanc,
Foehn temporary and low in the morning with high peaks already hung.
Temperatures 1500 m: -3 at +4 dg.

Isothermal 0 1500 1800 m.
Isothermal -10 DG: 3700 m and 3300 m.
Wind at 2000 m: low at night and then southwest turbulent reinforcing 30/50 km / h or even 70 km / h heights of Lake Geneva.
Wind at 4000 m: low at night and then temporarily west 20 km / h early morning then southwest 30/50 km / h.

SNOW CONDITIONS:
Episodes of bad weather have not been very important this winter, the snow cover is low for early March. The slopes between south and west often have very little snow until about 1500 m, and even in 1800/2000 m steep. A high-altitude glaciers are generally in good condition but with already more beautiful crevasses.
Departures on skis or snowshoes are made to toe the lowest around 1200 m in cold areas due north, south already between 1500 and 1800 m.
Quality of snow for Sunday:
On average, nearly crusty snow in the hills between south and west and then becoming a little wet, in the other slopes higher than 2000 m snow cold more or less blown.
Bosses snow and icy ridges.
In the high mountains, cold snow cardboard.

STABILITY OF SNOW COVER:
Slabs located.
The snowpack is well stabilized as a whole. Some, however, deserve slopes vigilance because of the passage of one or more persons might break a slab and trigger an avalanche. Typically modest in size, but that should not be overlooked. These areas are most vulnerable rather close to the caps, collars, sometimes in the corridors, in directions north and steep. At high altitudes, most diverse directions may be involved but the risks remain localized.
The risks of a voluntary departure is expected to be very low.

TREND LATER RISK:
Monday, risks stationary.

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

Weekly Snow Report

We’ve had some GREAT snow in the last few days even if it has only been a very little bit. Last week I expressed myself in the following manner, “There are times when a guy will take anything he can get ….” What a difference a few cm’s make! Especially in the gullies and lee slopes where the wind has blown the snow, where accumulations have built up to a whopping 15+ cm! The colder temps have helped too - making the snow feather light. We didn’t get all the snow that we were hoping for, but we can’t complain at all.

Snow Stability

The outlook for this coming week is for a bit more snow on Sunday-Wednesday.
For the snow stability: of course it has been very stable up until now. But predicting snow stability is all about looking at what we have now and at what could happen in the future. When we do get a good amount of snow we have to think about the layers of angular crystals, ‘frisette’, and depth hoar on flat and shaded slopes above 2200. These layers are not a problem now; but, with the next significant snowfalls (total 30 to 40cm or more in one place), they will be a source of instability under the new snow on shaded slopes that were not subjected to much skier compaction over the last few weeks. So that really means in places that were not ‘pisted off-piste’ and more on north-facing/shaded slopes that have not been skied very much - this weak cohesionless snow makes up the whole snowpack in some of these shaded north facing slopes.

Tip of the week: “The most important thing to remember while riding in fresh snow is to have a smile on your face!” (a quote from my friend Andreas from HAT & Alpine Experience). Let’s hope there will be something more to smile about soon.

‘Ride Hard Ride Safe’!

Henry

PS We’re doing lots of transceiver training at the moment in Val d’Isère: 35 euros for saisonaires for a full afternoon of coaching, timed searches, basic rescue procedures & a waterproof reference card. Call Jamie on 06 23 05 75 09