Snow conditions 11. 3 2024

General danger level - Monday, 11. 3. 2024
Danger is level 4 on the European 5-level scale - HIGH.
Main problem: wind slab, new snow, wet snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger above altitude around 1600 m (south and west Julian Alps) or 1800 m (central Julian Alps and western Karawanks) HIGH, 4th level, lower MODERATE, 2nd level. In Kamnik-Savinja Alps and eastern part of Karawanks avalanche danger above altitude around 1800 m CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level, lower MODERATE, 2nd level. Danger increased due to greater amount of new snow not bonded to the base. Moderate to strong south winds on Sunday created new slabs on northern slopes. In high mountains spontaneous sliding still possible, at end of week larger avalanches already released. Dangerous especially steep slopes with wind-blown snow, where avalanche of unbonded snow can trigger even with minor loading. Conditions in high mountains demanding, lower snow cover soaked by rain.

Snow conditions
Since Saturday 60-80 cm new snow fell in high mountains of western and southern Julian Alps, locally possibly more. Elsewhere amount of fresh snow smaller, around 50 cm. On Saturday and Sunday snow line rose, on Sunday during day snowing at altitudes around 1800 m. On Sunday moderate to strong south winds blew, creating additional areas of wind-blown snow in high mountains. In gullies of Julian Alps and western Karawanks new snow fell on soft snow base from previous week, which locally contains surface hoar. Snowpack may also hide weak layers elsewhere, dangerous due to avalanche release. Below 1800 m rain has somewhat stabilized snow cover, at end of week some wet snow avalanches released.

Expected weather development
Today, Monday, initially increased high altostratus cloudiness. During day more low stratus cloudiness, locally foggy. Still possible small snow flurry. Initially weak west winds, during day northerly wind. Temperature at 1500 m around 1 °C, at 2500 m around -5 °C. Tuesday cloudy, individual peaks in fog. Moderate northerly to northeasterly wind. Temperature at 1500 m around 4 °C, at 2500 m around -7 °C. Wednesday initially moderately to mostly cloudy, during day cloudiness breaking. Moderate northerly wind. Thursday fairly sunny. End of week expect warming.

Trend in snow conditions
Snow will settle in high mountains in coming days and stabilize only slowly. Danger in high mountains will remain CONSIDERABLE, 3rd level, at least for next days. Zero isotherm will fluctuate at altitudes between 1600 m and 1800 m. Wednesday and Thursday more sunny weather, on sun-facing slopes at altitudes below 1800 m snow cover will melt during day and freeze at night, possible wet snow avalanche. End of week expect warming, zero isotherm will rise to altitude around 2300 m, which will temporarily worsen snow conditions in high mountains.

Next issue: Thursday, 14. 3. 2024