Snow conditions 12.1.2023

General danger level - Thursday, 12. 1. 2023
Danger is level 2 on the European 5-level scale - MODERATE.
Main problem: wind slab, weak layers, new snow
Danger pattern: Cooling after warm weather / warming after cold

Risk assessment
Avalanche danger is above about 1700 m MODERATE, level 2, lower down LOW, level 1. In the high mountains, areas with wind slab are particularly dangerous, where smaller to medium-sized slab avalanches can be triggered with a small load. In the mid-mountains, the snowpack is stable. Above the treeline, there are many wind-scoured and icy areas, so there is a risk of slipping.

Snow conditions
Last night it snowed lightly in places in the mountains, a few centimetres of snow fell, which does not pose additional danger. In the mid-mountains there is little snow, mostly 20 to 50 cm. With altitude, the amount of snow cover increases rapidly. The snow is crusty and heavily wind-affected. There are many areas with wind slab, which are more dangerous in the high mountains, where more snow fell during the last snowfall and on Tuesday the north wind transported it to south-facing slopes. In lee areas of the high mountains, some light snow remains.

Forecast weather development
In the afternoon, there will be increasing high cumulus cloudiness. Mostly light winds from westerly directions will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 1, at 2500 m around -5 °C. On Friday it will be mostly cloudy, becoming denser in the afternoon. The base of the clouds will mostly be above the summits. Light to moderate westerly winds will blow. Temperature at 1500 m around 0, at 2500 m around -4 °C. On Friday night into Saturday, small showers may occur temporarily, a few centimetres of snow may fall. On Saturday it will clear up, during the day mostly sunny with some cumulus cloudiness. Initially light to moderate northerly winds, in the afternoon southwesterly. On Sunday it will become cloudy, foggy, small precipitation will occur. Snow line initially around 1200 m. Strong southwesterly winds will blow. Temperature at 1500 m and 2500 m around 0 °C. On Sunday night into Monday and Monday, abundant snowfall is expected.

Trend in snow conditions
Avalanche and snow conditions in the high mountains will change only slowly until Sunday inclusive. The danger will persist due to numerous wind slabs on all sides of ridges and saddles, and also due to the weak layer under the new snow. In the mid-mountains, snow will melt during the day, especially on sun-exposed slopes, and freeze at night. The crust will strengthen. The avalanche danger will INCREASE markedly due to abundant snowfall on Sunday night into Monday.

Next issue: Friday, 13. 1. 2023

Source: ARSO