Snow conditions 11.12.2017

General danger level - Monday, 11 December 2017

Danger level 4 on the European 5-level scale - HIGH.

Main problem: new snow

Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is currently HIGH, level 4, above about 1000 m above sea level, and MODERATE, level 3, lower down. Steep slopes and areas with wind-drifted snow are dangerous, where new dry snow avalanches can release, and below about 1500 m also wet snow avalanches. Conditions are changing due to snowfall and rising snow line!



Snow conditions

In recent days, 20 to more than 70 cm of snow has fallen in the mountains, wind has formed wind slabs and built cornices on exposed spots. On Saturday night it cooled down, warmed up again on Sunday, and today the freezing level is at 2000 m above sea level. With renewed precipitation, it snowed yesterday, at night the snow line rose, and today it is mostly around 1800 m. Eastern Karawanks and Pohorje areas were mostly dry. The snowpack is soft and loose, below the snow line it is becoming increasingly wet, water-saturated and heavy. Below about 1000 m snow melts quickly, higher up it settles rapidly. Gale-force southwesterly wind is blowing, which will blow snow strongly especially in high mountain areas.



Forecast weather development

In the coming days, cloudy weather will prevail. Frequent and heavier precipitation will mainly affect the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, somewhat less in central Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps, and little in the eastern part of our mountains. The snow line will temporarily rise above 2000 m above sea level tonight, but tomorrow it will already descend and be around 1100 m in the evening. Gale-force southwesterly to southerly wind will blow, weakening tomorrow during the day. On Wednesday it will be cloudy with occasional snowfall in the mountains. Somewhat more precipitation in the Julian Alps, little towards the east.



Trend in snow conditions

Below the snow line, snow will settle and get wet due to warming and rain. Wet snow avalanches, including full-depth ones, may release from steeper slopes there. Avalanche danger will increase in mid-mountain areas too! Higher up, dry snow avalanches will release due to abundant new snow, especially in the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, less in central Karawanks and Kamnik-Savinja Alps. Due to strong wind, wind slabs and cornices will form, exposed spots will be scoured. On Wednesday, the snowpack will somewhat stabilize due to cooling, but remain unstable in high mountains. Mountain trips not recommended at this time!



Next issue: Wednesday, 13 December 2017



Source: ARSO