Snow conditions 12.10.2020

The danger level is 3 on the European five-level scale - CONSIDERABLE.

Main problem: new snow, wet snow, wind slab



Risk assessment

Avalanche danger is 3 - CONSIDERABLE. Yesterday there was abundant snowfall in the mountains with moderate northeast to east wind. Steep grassy slopes above sea level around 1500 m and steeper gullies are particularly dangerous. In some high mountain areas, snow was deposited on the old snowpack by the wind, where west-facing slopes are particularly dangerous, and slab avalanches can also be triggered there.



Snow conditions

On Sunday it snowed in the mountains. The snow line dropped to around 1500 m in the morning, but during the day it also snowed in some alpine valleys. Snow persisted mostly above sea level from 700 to 1000 m, only in the Julian Alps area also lower. Above 1500 m, 30 to 70 cm of snow fell, lower down the snow cover thins rapidly. There is more snow in the high mountains, where drier snow fell. The wind formed wind slabs, mainly on north and west slopes. In the high mountains, the snow is soft and settles deeply, in the mid-mountains wet snow fell, also causing snowfalls.



Forecast weather development

On Monday, the western part of our mountains will be partly clear with variable cloudiness and foggy in places. Elsewhere it will be mostly cloudy and foggy. A moderate north to northeast wind will blow, which will additionally build wind slabs and slabs in the high mountains. Temperature at 1500 m around 1, at 2500 m around -4 °C. On Tuesday partly clear with variable cloudiness, in the eastern Karawanks and on Pohorje mostly cloudy. Some slopes and summits will occasionally be in clouds. A moderate north to northwest wind will persist, weakening slightly in the afternoon. Temperature at 1500 m around 2, at 2500 m around -6 °C. On Wednesday, after a sunny morning and forenoon, it will cloud over in the afternoon, summits in fog. Smaller precipitation in the afternoon, snow line at sea level around 1700 m. Moderate southwest wind will blow. On Thursday cloudy and foggy, precipitation will start to appear during the day and intensify slightly in the afternoon. Snow line around 1500 m, in the north it may drop to alpine valleys. On Friday precipitation will subside, but it will remain mostly cloudy.



Trend in snow conditions

In the high mountains, due to cold weather, the snow will settle and transform only slowly. This process will be faster below sea level around 2000 m, especially on steeper south slopes. In the mid-mountains, the snow will freeze especially on Wednesday, grassy slopes will be dangerous for spontaneous avalanching. Avalanche danger will thus remain MODERATE, level 2. With possible new abundant snowfall, it may increase again on Thursday.



Next issue: Friday, 16.10.2020



Source: ARSO