UPDATE. WED August 8, 2018

MSC have issued a ‘High Danger’ warning.

They say:

“The current conditions on the range are about as bad as we have seen in the four year span of running the program. Equal to the various ‘Blizzards of OZ’ in 17 and the various other events of triggered slides swept riders and buried them, and as of the time of writing there have been no incidents. We aren’t out of the woods yet, and that’s the real cut and thrust of this message. This event will linger for the next 48hrs+ so hold the charge, and urge the rest of your immediate pow chasing mates to heed the warning until the snow has settled.”

Additionally, Mt Stirling ski patrol has closed Stanley Bowl:

‘Traditionally Stanley Bowl is considered safe from avalanches. But the conditions we have observed which include a cornice with a large fracture through it are severe enough for us to feel the need to close it’.

Bill Barker from Mt Hotham patrol says:

There is ‘considerable avalanche danger in the back-country again today. There was several reports of skier triggered avalanches yesterday, and the weak layer that produced these still exists today but it is now buried deeper in the snowpack which will result in larger avalanches if it releases today.

Scroll down for older updates on the early August 2018 storm event:

TUESDAY AUGUST 8 REPORT:

Avalanche Warning ‘Considerable’ for Vic Alps, and deteriorating

With this (fantastic) and much needed top up of snow across the Alps, there is now a ‘considerable’ risk of avalanche on northern and western facing slopes. It is likely this will become even more severe in coming days.

The report below comes from Mountain Sports Collective (check here for their three regional updates: Central VIC Alps, NE VIC and Snowy Mountains):

.

Primary Hazard: Wind Slab.
Wind loaded aspects lee to the north and west are prone to avalanche. Avalanches are ‘Large and Likely’. Conservative terrain choices are essential to safe travel in the backcountry and any unpatrolled areas. This advisory is for the MSC North East Vic Alps region areas adjacent to and including Mount Hotham, Mount Bogong, Mount Feathertop, The Fainters and Bogong High Plains. 
.
The following advisory was issued by Bill Barker from Mt Hotham ski patrol:
.
Yesterday saw about 10 cm of graupel (snow that looks and acts like bean bag balls) fall onto a very hard base, and now we have some denser wind blown snow sitting on top which is a good recipe for unstable snow. Stay away from steep lee slopes. There will be great turns out there but stick to lower angled and densely treed terrain, and watch out for terrain traps. Take Care.
.
The State Emergency Service has also issued an avalanche warning:
  • Recent heavy snowfall onto an existing firm base of snow, together with cold temperatures and strong winds, means there is considerable avalanche risk on some terrain in back-country alpine areas.
  • Ski resorts will be undertaking avalanche control work to minimise any hazards within resorts.
Anyone undertaking activities such as skiing, snowboarding or hiking in back-country alpine areas should exercise caution and remain alert.
You should use maintained and monitored slopes when skiing or snowboarding.