Snow conditions 11.2.2019

Danger is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: wind slab, new snow

Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh loose snow transported by wind



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is CONSIDERABLE, 3, in mountains above about 1400 m, and MODERATE, 2, lower down. During snowfall, snow fell locally onto a frozen base, so on Monday loose dry snow avalanches will be triggered in the high mountains. Wind has transported snow and built wind slabs, soft slabs and cornices. Particularly dangerous are places with wind slab on steeper slopes, where an avalanche can be triggered with a small load on the snowpack. Most soft slabs are on northern and eastern sides of ridges and saddles. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, light snow and strong northerly wind will deposit on southern sides of ridges and build soft slabs.



Snow conditions

Snow that fell on Sunday and Monday will transform only slowly due to cold weather. Due to clear weather, transformation will be faster only in mid-mountains, where a crust can form on southern slopes. Strong northerly wind will blow snow down to the hard base on exposed locations. Many soft slabs will form mainly on southern sides of ridges and saddles.



Forecast weather development

Today cloudiness will slowly retreat, in the afternoon some snow showers may form. Tuesday and Wednesday will be mostly clear with occasional increased cloudiness. On Tuesday at 1500 m around -5, at 2500 m -10 °C. On Wednesday the freezing level will rise to about 1500 m a.s.l. Today and tomorrow windy. In mid-mountains moderate, in high mountains strong northerly wind. Northerly wind will weaken somewhat on Wednesday, but still moderate in high mountains. On Thursday temporarily more stratocumulus cloudiness. Warmer. On Friday freezing level will rise to about 2500 m a.s.l. Mainly in high mountains still windy, moderate northeasterly wind.



Tendency of snow conditions

The snowpack will settle and transform only slowly until Thursday, faster on southern slopes. Avalanche danger will remain CONSIDERABLE, 3, due to new snow and stronger northerly wind until Thursday, below 1400 m mostly MODERATE, 2. On sun-exposed slopes and in mid-mountains surface crust will strengthen. With warming in the second half of the week, avalanche danger on sun-exposed slopes will INCREASE again during the day.



Next issue: Thursday, 14.2.2019



Source: ARSO