Snow conditions 10.5.2019

Danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.

Main problem: weak layers, wind slab, new snow

Danger pattern: Spring situation

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after frost



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger in the high mountains above about 1800 m elevation is MODERATE, level 2, lower down mostly LOW, level 1. Steep slopes and places with wind-blown snow are dangerous, where under greater snowpack load you can trigger mainly slab avalanches. Especially today, with relatively sunny weather, the danger will somewhat increase midday and in the afternoon on sun-exposed aspects.



Snow conditions

Above about 1500 m elevation, from Monday 5 to 20 cm of snow has fallen, which has bonded relatively well with the base. The southwest wind has formed wind slabs. The snowpack is mostly soft, in the high mountains above about 1800 m the snow is dry. Wind-exposed spots are scoured, there are many wind slabs and slabs. Lower, below about 1800 m, where little new snow has fallen or it has rained, the snow is mostly hard or partially softened, with a thin layer of new snow in places.



Forecast weather development

Today it will be mostly clear at first, midday and afternoon variable cloudy and occasionally foggy with isolated showers. Wind will be light, during the day a southwest wind will begin to blow. The zero-degree level will rise to about 2500 m elevation. Tomorrow in the eastern part of our mountains it will still be partly sunny, elsewhere variable to mostly cloudy. In the western Julian Alps there will be occasional minor precipitation from midday onwards, partly showers. The southwest wind will strengthen. On Sunday it will be cloudy and foggy with occasional precipitation. A strengthened wind from northern directions will blow. It will cool and by evening in the northwest the snow line will drop to about 1200 m elevation, elsewhere it will probably remain above 1600 m. On Monday it will be cloudy and foggy. There will still be occasional precipitation, the snow line will gradually drop to about 1000 m above sea level. A strengthened northeast wind will blow.



Trend in snow conditions

The snowpack will settle and transform. The sun will affect it especially today, tomorrow only partly in the eastern part of our mountains. On Friday and Saturday avalanche conditions will not change much. From Sunday onwards new snow will accumulate again. In the high mountains up to about 30 cm may fall by Monday morning, less in the eastern part of our mountains. With this amount we expect avalanche danger to INCREASE.



Next issue: Monday, 13. 5. 2019



Source: ARSO