THIS AVALANCHE ADVISORY EXPIRED ON February 27, 2022 @ 9:30 pm
Avalanche Advisory published on February 26, 2022 @ 9:30 pm
Issued by Brian Newman - Gulmarg Avalanche Center

Dangerous wind slab conditions in the alpine region (above 3000m);  supported by weak facets atop a crust on South aspects.  Deeper in the snowpack, weak crystals near the ground are at risk of failure due to new snow load.  The added weight of a single rider may trigger avalanches containing the entire seasons snowpack.  

3. Considerable

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Alpine - 3000 meters and above
Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.

2. Moderate

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Transistional - Near 3000 meters
Heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Evaluate snow and terrain carefully; identify features of concern.

1. Low

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Sub-Alpine - Below 3000 meters
Generally safe avalanche conditions. Watch for unstable snow on isolated terrain features.
    Dangerous avalanche conditions. Careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision-making essential.
Avalanche Problem 1: Wind Slab
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  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small
Avalanche Problem 2: Persistent Slab
  • Type ?
  • Aspect/Elevation ?
  • Likelihood ?
    Certain
    Very Likely
    Likely
    Possible
    Unlikely
  • Size ?
    Historic
    Very Large
    Large
    Small

This avalanche problem is at the bottom of the snowpack.  Very large crystals with lots of open space between.  Imagine an entire layer of the snowack, 2"-6"or more of this crystal matrix and its weakness in supporting additional layers of snow becomes significant.  Where did these large crystals come from?  They are the evolution of regular snow flakes which fell out of the sky back in November (one of the coldest months of the year).  As these snow flakes accumulated on the ground, they formed the first snowpack of the season.  What cuased them to undergo such a dramatic change is due to extreme seasonal conditions generally only occuring at the beginning of winter; extra cold temperatures, extra shallow snow pack, and finally extra time enduring these conditions.  So how do we deal with this problem?  The bad news is this problem can remain for the entire winter until Springtime melts the snow and the only way to effectively rid ourselves of this weak layer is by avalanches!  

Weather and CURRENT CONDITIONS
weather summary

Snow Forecast

View detailed snow forecast for Gulmarg at:

snow-forecast.com

Disclaimer

This avalanche advisory is provided through a partnership between the Jammu and Kashmir State Department of  Tourism and the Gulmarg Avalanche Center. This advisory covers the Pir Pinjal range accessible from the Gulmarg Ski Area. Click here for a map of the forecast area.  This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur. This advisory expires 24 hours after the posted time unless otherwise noted. The information in this advisory is provided as public a service.  The user of this information accepts all risks and responsibility. ​