Snow conditions 1.12.2023

General avalanche danger level - Friday, 1 December 2023
The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: new snow, wind-blown snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold
Danger pattern: Cold weather, fresh snow not bonded with wind

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is mainly in the high mountains of the Julian Alps above about 2000 m altitude MODERATE, level 2, lower down and elsewhere LOW, level 1. Conditions in the mountains are changing rapidly. Avalanche danger will change and increase, depending on altitude and aspect.

Snow conditions
Yesterday 10 to 40 cm of snow fell in the mountains, the most in the Julian Alps. The snowpack in the high mountains is soft and loose, there is considerable drifting snow which has formed and is still forming due to strong southwesterly winds. The snow line has risen, around 2000 m snow has gradually turned to rain and lower down new snow has been wetted.

Forecast weather development
Today cloudy and foggy with precipitation. Snow line around 2200 m. Strong southerly to southwesterly wind blowing. In the afternoon precipitation will retreat to the north and northwest, where it will continue overnight, while elsewhere dry. Tomorrow morning precipitation will spread again over most of Slovenia. During the day cooling from the north, snow line lowering and by evening it will reach the lowlands in places. In the morning still southwesterly, in the afternoon gradually northerly to northeasterly wind. Precipitation will subside overnight into Sunday, clearing from the northwest. Northerly wind will gradually weaken. Cold. On Monday morning mostly clear, cloudy in the afternoon.

Trend in snow conditions
Snow and avalanche conditions are changing. In high mountains above the snow line, danger of new snow slab avalanches is increasing, new drifts forming. Especially in the Julian Alps, particularly in the western and northwestern parts, up to about a metre of snow may fall by Sunday night. There the possibility of spontaneous release of poorly bonded snow from steeper slopes will increase. Numerous small and also individual medium-sized avalanches possible. Lots of slabs. Elsewhere in high mountains less new snow, because precipitation will temporarily subside this afternoon and evening. Below the snow line, snow that fell until this morning may slide from steep slopes, wetted by rain. Tomorrow snow will start accumulating gradually lower, but below around 2000 m too little for significant avalanche danger. Strengthened northerly will transport snow into drifts, cornices will also form. In high mountains avalanche danger CONSIDERABLE, level 3, lower down low to MODERATE, depending on altitude and amount of new snow. Conditions in high mountains DIFFICULT, also lower down caution needed, as wet snow will freeze on cooling and icy surfaces will form, dangerous for slipping. Next report issued on Monday, 4.12.2023.

Next publication: Monday, 4 December 2023

Source: ARSO