Snow conditions 12.1.2022

General danger level - Wednesday, 12 January 2022
The danger level is 2 on the European five-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab
Danger pattern: Cold, poorly bonded fresh snow due to wind
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm spell / warming after cold spell

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is MODERATE below about 1400 m, level 2, and LOW lower down, level 1. Southern slopes are particularly dangerous, with lots of fresh wind-blown snow that can release as a slab on increased load. In the high mountains, wind-blown snow is also present on northern slopes, but it is better bonded to the base there. Steeper gullies with larger amounts of wind-blown snow are also dangerous. Wind-exposed areas are scoured down to the old base, which is icy in places, so there is a risk of slipping there. Due to the wind-blown snow, conditions in the mountains are not safe.

Snow conditions
Cold and dry weather prevailed in the mountains in recent days, with occasional strong north winds that mainly transported snow into drifts in the high mountains. Due to low temperatures, the snow has hardly transformed, remaining dry and soft, with slight compaction. Wind-exposed spots are scoured to the old base, icy in places. There are many slabs, mostly on south-facing slopes.

Forecast weather development
A longer period of dry weather lies ahead. Today, tomorrow and Friday will be clear. Weak to moderate north winds will blow. Temperatures will remain below zero today and tomorrow morning, but tomorrow afternoon warmer air will slowly arrive at altitude, raising the zero isotherm above 2000 m, reaching around 2500 m by evening. Friday will be the warmest, with temperatures slightly above zero even on the highest peaks. Saturday and Sunday will also be dry and mostly sunny, though humidity will increase somewhat, with possible clouds mainly in mid-mountains.

Trend in snow conditions
The snowpack will remain largely unchanged today and initially tomorrow due to low temperatures and dry air. Tomorrow afternoon, south-facing slopes will start to crust and freeze overnight. This process will be more pronounced on Friday and end of week. Snow will remain dry and soft in shaded areas, while crust will form and strengthen on sun-exposed slopes, softening during the day. Warming will slightly destabilise snow on sunny slopes during the day, making it easier to trigger slab avalanches on steep slopes with wind-blown snow. Spontaneous slab avalanches may also release from steep slopes midday and afternoon. Next avalanche bulletin on Friday, 14.1.2022.

Next issue: Friday, 14 January 2022

Source: ARSO