Snow Watch 2021

03 May 2021 08:57 #76831 by JonWells

Replied by JonWells on topic Snow Watch 2021

Its been quite some time since enough snow fell to make posting a satellite image worthwhile! Below is yesterday's image showing the remaining snow in light blue.

3 of us had planned a day hike to Thaba Ngwangwe on Saturday, so we had good timing with the snow, finding about 3-4cm remaining above 2700m:

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19 May 2021 12:44 #76887 by ASL-Bivak#

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I see some cold fronts coming in via the Cape region by Thursday. Not sure but usually they reacha the Berg within a a few days after...

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31 May 2021 07:44 #76914 by JonWells

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I'll hold back from posting any snow maps right now due to how unreliable the long term snow forecasts can be at times, but it certainly looks like there may be some extreme weather coming over the next week! Multiple models are showing brutal cold for the entire range for the next 7-8 days with a chance of snow, and possibly even some into the midlands. Will be keeping an eye on how this progresses!

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01 Jun 2021 07:38 - 01 Jun 2021 14:49 #76924 by JonWells

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Here is the latest ECMWF model for possible total snow accumulation over the next few days. As you can see the entire range is expecting snow, and its possible that heavy snow may fall in parts of the Southern Berg peaks:

I see that snow has already been reported at Sani Pass and Afriski. The majority of this event's snowfall is expected over Wednesday/Thursday.

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Last edit: 01 Jun 2021 14:49 by JonWells.

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01 Jun 2021 07:45 #76925 by JonWells

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Another interesting observation is that most models are forecasting an extended hard freeze for the escarpment, with temperatures well below freezing from now until Sunday morning. Some areas may expect temperatures lower than -10°C.

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01 Jun 2021 12:26 #76927 by Riaang

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Time to pack warm clothes and take the ice axe to the berg :-)

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07 Jun 2021 08:06 - 07 Jun 2021 08:08 #76954 by JonWells

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So it appears the snow fell largely as per the model predictions, with some really good snow now lying betweens Bushman's Nek and Giant's Castle. With the snow falling right as winter began, and being quite heavy in places I expect this cover to last for quite some time, especially on the South Facing slopes.

Here is yesterday's Terra satellite image showing the extent of this snowfall:

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Last edit: 07 Jun 2021 08:08 by JonWells.

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07 Jun 2021 08:24 #76955 by ghaznavid

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I took a day hike up Langies yesterday. I'm amazed how much snow is left considering it was already a few days old. The snow was great quality powder snow and was really worth the effort to reach. In places it was almost knee deep. I carried crampons, which we used on the way up and down. I only had the one pair, so we each used on on the foot facing the downhill slope - they proved very useful. I'll post more info and photos on the mini hike reports thread.

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14 Jun 2021 11:07 #76987 by Smurfatefrog

Replied by Smurfatefrog on topic Snow Watch 2021

On Saturday we did a day trip up to Bushmans Nek, it looked like the only easy route up to the escarpment in the Southern Berg.
There is still snow around the 2300m mark, with solid snow from 2600m.
We got to 2750m on Thaba Ngwangwe before walking in knee deep snow became a pain, along with the wind which was blowing snow into our faces.
The south facing slopes will have a decent covering for a while still!

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22 Jun 2021 16:24 #76997 by Beard

Replied by Beard on topic Snow Watch 2021

HI All

I am looking at Corner Pass hike this coming weekend, has any been up there recently?

keen to know how deep or wide spread it is?

Aim to head up Corner Pass an Down Leslies.

Thanks
Brian

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