Snow conditions 11. 4. 2024

General danger level - Thursday, 11. 4. 2024
The danger is level 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wet snow
Danger pattern: Spring situation

Risk assessment
The avalanche danger is LOW in the morning, level 1, and increases during the day to MODERATE, level 2 due to daytime melting. Especially from steeper sun-exposed slopes, small wet snow avalanches can still trigger spontaneously.

Snow conditions
In the warm weather, the rapid transformation of the snowpack continues, which is also noticeably settling and becoming increasingly wet even in the high mountains. Overnight a thin crust forms on the surface, which then softens in the morning on pronounced shady slopes. The consolidated snowpack begins on shady sides at an altitude of 1900-2000 m, in sunny aspects it reaches down to an altitude of approximately 1500 m. Desert sand is present on the surface and in the upper snow layers, which slightly accelerates snowmelt.

Forecast weather development
Today, Thursday, partly clear with some variable cloudiness. Weak to moderate winds from easterly directions will blow, weakening in the afternoon. Temperature at 1500 m around 10 °C, at 2500 m around 4 °C. Friday partly clear. In the afternoon, cumulus cloudiness will form, summits will occasionally be in clouds. Light wind from variable directions. Temperature at 1500 m around 11 °C, at 2500 m around 4 °C. On Saturday and Sunday, temperatures will be even higher. On Sunday during the day, the zero isotherm will rise to an altitude of around 3600 m, temperature at 2500 m around 9 °C.

Trend in snow conditions
In the warm weather, the snowpack will continue to transform rapidly and settle. Overnight in the high mountains, a crust will form on the snowpack surface, but due to rising temperatures it will be less pronounced each day. On sun-exposed slopes, wet snow avalanches can still be triggered spontaneously or under load. The avalanche danger will slightly increase by the end of the week due to warming.

Next issue: Sunday, 14. 4. 2024

Source: ARSO