Snow conditions 10.1.2022

General danger level - Monday, 10.1.2022
Danger is 3rd degree on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind slab
Danger pattern: Cold weather, poorly bonded fresh snow with wind

Risk assessment
The danger of snow avalanches is above sea level around 1800 m CONSIDERABLE, 3rd degree, lower down MODERATE, 2nd degree. Especially dangerous are southern slopes, where there is a lot of fresh wind-drifted snow that can release even with small loads. In the high mountains, wind slab is also present on northern slopes, but there it is better bonded to the base. Steeper couloirs with larger amounts of wind slab are also dangerous. Wind-exposed locations are heavily scoured, even to old, partly icy bases, so there is a risk of slipping there. Conditions remain demanding especially in the high mountains.

Snow conditions
At the end of the week, we had partly sunny and cold weather in the mountains. Yesterday, a few centimetres of dry snow fell in places, which was quickly scoured by moderate westerly winds. Due to the cold weather, the snowpack is transforming only slowly. The snow is better bonded to the base below sea level around 1800 m, where the thaw was more pronounced before. The snowpack is still soft and loose in many places. In lower areas, a thin crust formed on sun-exposed slopes due to the sun. Wind-exposed locations are heavily scoured, sometimes down to old icy bases or even bare ground. The wind is gradually strengthening and will significantly affect the snowpack even in mid-mountains.

Forecast weather development
Today it will be moderately to mostly cloudy, some highest peaks may occasionally be in clouds. In the afternoon, it will clear up in the west, and clouds will break elsewhere. Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will blow. Temperature at 1500 m will be around -5, at 2500 m around -11 °C. On Tuesday, mostly clear. Moderate to strong northeasterly winds will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around -6, at 2500 m around -10 °C. On Wednesday, clear. The wind will weaken slightly, still moderate northeasterly. Temperature at 1500 m around -5, at 2500 m around -7 °C. Also in the second half of the week, mostly clear weather will prevail. Noticeably warmer. The wind will weaken.

Trend in snow conditions
In the coming days, moderate to strong northeasterly winds will influence the conditions, transporting light snow and building new snow drifts, slabs and pillows on southern and western slopes. Wind slab avalanches can be triggered with minor loading. Due to the cold air mass, the snowpack transformation process will be slowed. Avalanche danger will remain CONSIDERABLE 3rd degree above around 1800 m, MODERATE 2nd degree lower down. Icy surfaces will increase. The next avalanche bulletin will be published on Wednesday, 12.1.2022.

Next issue: Wednesday, 12.1.2022

Source: ARSO