Snow conditions 10.3.2023

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 10 March 2023
Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, wet snow
Danger pattern: cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above about 1700 m is MODERATE, level 2, lower SMALL, level 1. Steeper slopes and especially gullies are more dangerous, where wet snow avalanches can occur spontaneously during thaw. In the high mountains, new slabs have formed due to strong wind, which you might trigger at some spots under high load. Wind-exposed locations are scoured to the old, frozen base layer, so there is a risk of slipping there.

Snow conditions
In the mountains it was cloudy and foggy overnight, the zero isotherm is at about 2000 m. Snow is mostly southern-facing lower down and deeply settling in the mid-mountains. Spontaneous wet snow avalanches can still be expected at some locations today. Above 2000 m, dry snow from recent days still persists. Caution especially in gullies and near ridges, where there are areas with wind slab. Wind has drifted snow onto eastern aspects. Snowpack depth is quite uneven, with considerably less snow on sun-exposed aspects than on shaded ones.

Forecast weather development
Today mostly cloudy and foggy, with showers appearing, more frequent midday. Thunder possible. Cloud cover will break up somewhat in the afternoon. Snow line between 1500 and 1900 m. Strong southwest wind blowing, weakening gradually in the afternoon. Temperature at 1500 m around 3, at 2500 m around -3 °C. Overnight into Saturday, passage of a cold front expected, precipitation not much. Saturday morning possible minor local showers, northwest wind starting, which can be strong in high mountains. Clearing during the day, wind easing somewhat. Cooling. Temperature at 1500 m around -1, at 2500 m around -7 °C. Sunday dry and partly clear, occasional mid- and high-level clouds. Wind mostly light, moderate northwest in high mountains locally. Morning temperature at 1500 m around -5, at 2500 m around -9 °C, warming during the day. Monday considerable high cloud cover, low cloud increasing from west in afternoon. Southwest wind strengthening, strong locally in afternoon. Warming again. Temperature at 1500 m around 2, at 2500 m around 0 °C. Tuesday major deterioration with precipitation, snow line lowering.

Trend in snow conditions
Friday and Saturday, not much new snow expected, in high mountains 5 to at most 15 cm, in mid-mountains just a centimetre. Saturday, avalanche release danger below about 2000 m will decrease. In high mountains, wind slab areas remain dangerous. With cooling, icy surfaces will distinctly increase Saturday and Sunday.

Next issue: Monday, 13 March 2023

Source: ARSO