Snow conditions 11.3.2016

AVALANCHE RISK ASSESSMENT



Avalanche danger is 3rd degree.



On sun-exposed slopes in the mid-mountains, snow melts and softens during the day, so ground avalanches are possible on steep, grassy slopes. On northern slopes in the high mountains, snow is poorly transformed, so the top layers are still poorly bonded to the lower ones. There are many slabs. The snow cover's connection to the ground is also poor. Even with minor additional loading of the snow cover, an avalanche can be triggered on steep slopes and areas with wind-deposited snow.





SNOW CONDITIONS and CURRENT STATE OF SNOW COVER



On Wednesday during the day, especially in the western part of our mountains, up to 5 cm of snow fell in places. On Thursday, sunny weather prevailed, the freezing level rose to around 1500 m a.s.l. Snow settled and transformed. On sunlit aspects, it melted during the day up to around 1800 m a.s.l., in shady aspects slightly lower. Where the snow cover is thinner, snow soaked through to the ground on sun-exposed slopes. Overnight to Friday, it mostly froze. A light to moderate east to northeast wind blew, transporting snow on exposed aspects.



In the Julian Alps and western Karawanks, at 2500 m there is 350 to around 420 cm of snow, at 1500 m 230 to around 340 cm, at 1000 m 30 to around 60 cm. Elsewhere in our mountains, at 1500 m 90 to around 150 cm of snow, less towards the east. Significant snow cover starts at around 700 m a.s.l. Snow is light and soft in shady aspects, on sun-exposed slopes and plateaus mostly covered with a crust that does not bear human weight. There are many wind slabs and slabs. On wind-exposed aspects, snow is quite wind-packed.





FORECAST WEATHER DEVELOPMENT



Overnight and tomorrow cloudy. No significant precipitation in the mountains. Mostly moderate northeast wind will continue transporting snow especially in the high mountains. Freezing level at around 1400 m a.s.l.



On Sunday moderately to mostly cloudy. Occasional light snowfall possible especially in the eastern part of our mountains, but precipitation amounts will be small. Wind will strengthen somewhat. Freezing level at around 1300 m a.s.l.





TRENDS IN SNOW CONDITIONS



The snow cover will slowly settle and transform. Due to wind, new wind slabs and slabs will form especially in the high mountains mainly on southern and western sides of ridges and passes. Lower down, snow will slowly melt. On Sunday, due to somewhat more solar radiation, snow will melt in places even higher.



The snow cover will slowly stabilize. Spontaneous avalanching mostly not expected, only from steep grassy slopes in the mid-mountains a wet snow avalanche may release especially on Sunday midday. Due to wind, the crust will strengthen. In sheltered shady high mountain aspects, snow will remain mostly dry and soft and poorly transformed. There, an avalanche can be triggered on steeper slopes with greater additional loading of the snow cover.

Next report will be issued on MONDAY, 14.3.2016 in the morning.



Source: ARSO