Snow conditions 1.12.2021

General danger level - Wednesday, 1 December 2021
The danger is level 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.
Main problem: wind-drifted snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is above about 1800 m CONSIDERABLE, level 3, lower down mostly MODERATE, level 2. Especially dangerous are places with wind-drifted snow, where on steep slopes you can trigger a slab avalanche even with minor additional stress, on less steep slopes only with large additional load on the snow cover. Spontaneous release is unlikely. Wind-drifted snow is on all aspects.

Snow conditions
On Tuesday it was still cold, but by today it has warmed up and the snow that fell at the weekend has started to settle and metamorphose. Southwest wind is forming new drifts. Wind-exposed locations are heavily wind-scoured, wind crust has also formed that supports human weight in places. Lots of slab. In sheltered spots snow is soft and sinks deeply.

Forecast weather development
Today it will cloud over, in the afternoon and evening minor precipitation will start in the west. At night precipitation will intensify in the west. Snow level initially between 700 and 1000 m a.s.l., at night it will rise slightly. Strong southwest wind will blow, weakening slowly in the afternoon. By tomorrow morning precipitation will reach the eastern part of our mountains too. Tomorrow cloudy and foggy with precipitation, most in the southwest of the country, less in the north. Snow level will lower in the afternoon, and in the evening and night to Friday it will snow in many lowlands too. Northeast wind will start in the afternoon. By Friday morning precipitation will cease, partly clearing during the day. Strengthened northerly wind. Temperature in hills below freezing. Saturday dry, night to Sunday precipitation again, less than Thursday.

Trend in snow conditions
Snow cover will settle slightly today, southwest wind forming new drifts. Thursday and night to Friday 10 to about 40 cm snow in hills and mountains. Amount depends on altitude and location. This time slightly less snow in Julian Alps and western Karawanks, up to 40 cm, more in central part of our mountains, slightly less in eastern Karawanks. Above about 1500 m mostly dry snow from the start, lower down wet. Wind during snowfall will form new drifts and slabs, initially mainly on eastern, then southern and western sides of ridges and passes. Lower down, where rain first, snow will melt, individual full-depth wet snow avalanches possible from steep grassy slopes. Higher up avalanche danger persists mainly due to new slabs, initially also new snow that may slide off steep slopes. End of week cold in mountains, so avalanche conditions will not improve much.

Next bulletin: Friday, 3 December 2021

Source: ARSO